White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients launched a review of Cabinet protocols on Tuesday, Axios reported, largely in response to the fact that even President Joe Biden was left in the dark when his Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit.
The White House was reportedly informed — just hours before the news went public — that Austin, who was said to be working from home, was actually hospitalized at Walter Reed Military Medical Center after “complications” arose from an elective procedure. It was later revealed that Austin had undergone a prostatectomy as part of treatment for prostate cancer.
According to Axios’ report, Zients sent a memo to all cabinet secretaries directing them to “submit your existing protocols for a delegation of authority” — meaning who would immediately assume responsibility if the secretary was indisposed — no later than January 12.
The White House chief of staff is also ordering Cabinet heads to notify his office if they ever can’t perform their duties. https://t.co/eyMvMlhJmi
— ArmyTimes (@ArmyTimes) January 9, 2024
The memo comes amid calls for Austin’s resignation — which President Biden has already said that he would not accept — and a GOP-led effort to impeach the Defense Secretary, who remains hospitalized despite being moved out of the ICU.
A memo was also sent out to Austin’s staff on Monday, directing Jennifer Walsh — Director of Administration and Management — to review records and communications alongside the General Counsel in order to determine what had transpired with regard to Austin’s hospitalization.
While Austin apologized for his “lack of transparency” in a statement, a number of critics have argued that his failure to apprise the White House of the situation raised a red flag.
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MSNBC host Joe Scarborough addressed the issue on Monday’s broadcast of “Morning Joe,” saying that while he understood Austin was under no obligation to inform the general public or even the media of his personal medical issues, it stood to reason that he did have a responsibility to inform the President of the United States.
“I mean, it’s shocking that Joe Biden doesn’t — didn’t know, it’s shocking that Jake Sullivan didn’t know, it’s shocking that all of these people — that nobody in the White House knew,” he said. “I don’t — I’m just going to say this — I don’t see how a guy disappears for three days and doesn’t tell the President of the United States, the Commander in Chief, the White House that he’s gone, and continues working in that position.”