The U.S. is accelerating the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East amid an imminent threat to Israel from the Islamic Republic of Iran and Hezbollah, Iran&#8217;s largest top terrorist proxy group.
The announcement came after Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on Sunday about the situation.
The Pentagon said in a statement that the U.S. was taking &#8220;every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions.&#8221;
&#8220;Reinforcing this commitment, the Secretary Austin has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;Additionally, the Secretary has ordered the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) guided missile submarine to the Central Command region.&#8221;
The expected attack comes after Israel <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/israel-kills-hezbollahs-most-senior-military-commander-after-terror-group-killed-12-children">killed</a> Fuad Shukr last month, Hezbollah&#8217;s “most senior military commander and the head of its Strategic Unit” and Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah’s “right-hand man”, according to the IDF.
Shukr was responsible for directing all of Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel since Hamas’ unprecedented October 7 terrorist attack in which thousands of terrorists stormed into Israel from Gaza and murdered 1,200 people, wounded more than 5,000, and took hundreds of people hostage.
The U.S. government had <a href="https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/fuad-shukr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">placed</a> a $5 million bounty on Shukr for playing a “central role in the October 23, 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut which killed 241 U.S. military personnel and wounded 128 others,” according to the U.S. State Department.
Israel is also believed to be behind the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-top-hamas-leader-ismail-haniyeh-killed-inside-iran">killing</a> last month of Hamas terrorist leader Ismail Haniyeh in a bombing on a guest house he was staying at inside Iran.
Various intelligence assessments have concluded that the attack will be <a href="https://twitter.com/ELINTNews/status/1822750069336252587">coordinated</a> between Iran and Hezbollah and will likely occur early this week.

NOVEMBER 3, 2014  SAN DIEGO, CA.  An F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jet makes its first-eve

U.S. Accelerates Deployment Of Aircraft Carrier Strike Group To Middle East Amid Imminent Threat From Iran, Hezbollah

Hezbollah

Iran

Lloyd Austin

Middle East

A few U.S. Senators released statements over the weekend after Secretary of Defense <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lloyd-austin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lloyd Austin</a> canceled plea deals that were given to three of the terrorists who were behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
The administration faced severe backlash after news of the plea deal — which included sparing the terrorists the death penalty in exchange for them pleading guilty to the events of that day and the murder of 2,976 people — was made public. The administration later removed retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier, the person who offered the deal, from overseeing the case and canceled the offer.
Under the pretrial agreements, 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi would have served, at most, life sentences in prison.
&#8220;We are glad that Secretary Austin came to his senses, heeded our warning, and decided to take the concerns of 9/11 victims and families seriously,&#8221; said a joint statement from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR).
&#8220;The Biden-Harris Administration’s consideration of a plea deal with terrorist mass murderers was disgraceful. America deserves a Commander-in-Chief committed to peace through strength, not chaos through weakness,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;The President must know that we continue to watch this situation closely. The Justice for 9/11 Act is introduced, and if the Administration ever changes course, we stand ready to overturn any future cowardly plea deals with the murderous mastermind of that tragic day.&#8221;
The senators added that the U.S. &#8220;must never flinch in holding terrorists accountable for their actions.&#8221;
<a href="http://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WATCH THE TRAILER FOR &#8216;AM I RACIST?&#8217; — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI</a>
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said that the administration was &#8220;correct to reverse course after receiving letters from @GOPoversight and @HASCRepublicans launching investigations into this terrible plea deal.&#8221;
&#8220;Now deliver long awaited justice for 9/11 families,&#8221; he added.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also commented on the reversal, posting on X: &#8220;I firmly believe that Secretary Austin did the right thing and exercised good command judgement by revoking the plea deal for the 9/11 mastermind and his accomplices.&#8221;
&#8220;The previous plea deal would have sent absolutely the wrong signal to terrorists throughout the world,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;I know the families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks will appreciate this — as do I.&#8221;

US-POLITICS-DEFENSE-HEARING

Republican Lawmakers Release Statements After Lloyd Austin Cancels Plea Deals With 9/11 Terrorists

9/11

Biden Administration

Congress

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Republican Party

U.S.

The Biden-Harris Administration canceled a stunning plea deal that was signed this week with the terrorists who were responsible for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States — and relieved the senior U.S. official who offered the deal.
Retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier, who was responsible for overseeing the war court case at Guantánamo Bay, was relieved from her position by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after her team <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-harris-administration-reaches-plea-deals-with-9-11-mastermind-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-2-others">entered</a> into pretrial agreements with 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi.
The deal allowed the terrorists to escape the death penalty in-exchange for them pleading guilty to the murder of 2,976 people and serving sentences of at most life in prison.
By removing Escallier, Austin assumed authority over the case and immediately canceled the agreement, meaning the death penalty is back on the table, following days of public backlash against the Biden-Harris Administraiton.
“Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024,” Austin said.
Top U.S. lawmakers slammed the Biden-Harris Administration for the plea deal, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
McConnell said the plea deal was “a revolting abdication of the government’s responsibility to defend America and provide justice.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration’s weakness in the face of sworn enemies of the American people apparently knows no bounds,” McConnell said. “The only thing worse than negotiating with terrorists is negotiating with them after they are in custody. The families of their victims and the American people deserve real justice. In the same week that Israel eliminated some of Iran’s most trusted terrorist proxies, the Administration’s decision to spare these mass-murderers from the death penalty is an especially bitter pill.”
“Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris Administration still seeks to release other Guantanamo terrorists back into the world,” he concluded. “The Administration’s cowardice in the face of terror is a national disgrace.”
“23 years ago, America watched in horror as thousands of innocent Americans died,” he continued. “America mourned for weeks afterwards as first responders sifted through the ashes at Ground Zero, at the Pentagon, and at the crash site in Shanksville. For more than two decades, the families of those murdered by these terrorists have waited for justice. This plea deal is a slap in the face of those families. They deserved better from the Biden-Harris Administration.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said that the plea deal made it &#8220;a very, very good week, if you happen to be a terrorist.&#8221;
&#8220;If you happen to be someone who wants to murder Americans, this has been a phenomenal week because Joe Biden and Kamala Harris just gave a gift to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, they agreed to take the death penalty off the table and spare his life,&#8221; Cruz said. &#8220;It&#8217;s an absolute outrage. It&#8217;s an insult to the families of all of those who were murdered on 9/11.&#8221;

Biden-Harris Admin Cancels 9/11 Plea Deal After Severe Backlash, Ousts Senior Official Who Offered It

Joe Biden

terrorist attack

Secretary of Defense <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lloyd-austin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lloyd Austin</a> is transferring his role to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks today as he prepares to undergo elective surgery.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement that Austin will undergo a &#8220;minimally invasive follow-up non-surgical procedure&#8221; that is related to his previous bladder issue.
The procedure will take place this evening at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
&#8220;The Secretary has determined he will be temporarily unable to perform his functions and duties during the procedure, so Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks will assume the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense and serve as the Acting Secretary of Defense,&#8221; Ryder said.
Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in February after receiving treatment for a bladder issue that also prompted him to transfer his duties to his deputy.
Austin, 70, faced blowback after the revelation that the secretary had been hospitalized on January 1 for complications <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/walter-reed-medical-center-reveals-why-lloyd-austin-was-hospitalized" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stemming from a prostate cancer</a> procedure and delegated some of his duties to a deputy without informing top brass in the Biden administration and Congress.
Some critics, including GOP lawmakers and <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=trump+austin+daily+wire&amp;sca_esv=248f942d9b8c3839&amp;ei=rd23ZaniIeWxqtsP1MqKmAk&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjp7KWSjYOEAxXlmGoFHVSlApMQ4dUDCBA&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=trump+austin+daily+wire&amp;gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiF3RydW1wIGF1c3RpbiBkYWlseSB3aXJlSPYQUI4BWPEPcAN4AJABAJgBfqABsgmqAQQwLjExuAEDyAEA-AEB4gMEGAEgQYgGAQ&amp;sclient=gws-wiz-serp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">former President Donald Trump</a>, called for Austin’s ouster as more details emerged, including that Austin kept his cancer diagnosis under wraps until the story broke. Multiple <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pentagon-inspector-general-announces-review-of-austin-going-mia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inquiries</a> ensued, and the White House released <a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-lloyd-austin-cabinet-f3e03c04ff7d9a0ab062a57ac181bb8f#:~:text=From%20now%20on%2C%20Cabinet%20agencies,once%20that%20delegation%20has%20ended." target="_blank" rel="noopener">new guidelines</a> for Cabinet secretaries to enhance transparency rules when authority is delegated to a subordinate.
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The Department of Defense <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3658716/secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-returns-to-work-at-the-pentagon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Austin resumed his duties from home after being released from the hospital on January 15, and the secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/def-sec-austin-returns-to-pentagon-addresses-health-situation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returned</a> to work at the Pentagon on January 29. Austin <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-republicans-grill-def-sec-austin-over-transparency-youve-held-yourself-to-a-different-standard">testified</a> before a House committee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/def-sec-austin-agrees-to-testify-before-congress-about-secretive-hospitalization">about</a> “his failure to disclose his hospitalization” on February 29.
During a press conference, Austin <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/austin-denies-requesting-subtle-ride-to-hospital-blames-aide-should-come-out-in-the-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expressed remorse</a> for how his cancer diagnosis and hospitalization were handled.
“We did not handle this right, and I did not handle this right,” Austin said. “I should’ve told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public. And I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”
Daniel Chaitin contributed to this report.

ISRAEL-US-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY-DEFENCE-PALESTINIAN-GAZA-CONFLICT

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Out Again With Medical Issues

Executive

Medical

Senator <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lindsey-graham" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lindsey Graham</a> (R-S.C.) gave Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin an earful during a Wednesday hearing, demanding that he answer for reports that the United States had withheld ammunition that was supposed to be sent to Israel.
The shipment was reportedly delayed as U.S. officials — among them President Joe Biden — expressed concern over Israel&#8217;s decision to strike Rafah in an effort to root out the last remaining stronghold of the Hamas terror network. Graham pressed Austin &#8212; and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Q. Brown Jr. — to answer for that, drawing a comparison to the atomic bombs that ultimately brought about the end of World War II.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
WATCH
I may not agree with everything Senator Lindsey Graham does, but it&#39;s clear he&#39;s got Israel’s back, pretty powerful. SecDef Austin, on the other hand, seems like his hands are tied. <a href="https://t.co/h3iqDQkWeT">pic.twitter.com/h3iqDQkWeT</a>
&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osint613/status/1788286589589668012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Would you have supported dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? General Brown, to end World War II?&#8221; Graham asked.
&#8220;Well, Senator, I think it is based on the situation —&#8221; Brown replied.
&#8220;Well, we know I mean, it happened, we know. I’m not asking, they did it. Do you think that was disproportionate?&#8221; Graham tried again. &#8220;Do you, in hindsight, do you think that was the right decision for America to drop two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities in question?&#8221;
&#8220;Well, I’ll tell you, it stopped the world war,&#8221; Brown said.
&#8220;Okay. Well, so. Do you agree, General Austin? If you’d been around, would you say, drop them?&#8221; Graham continued.
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&#8220;I agree with the Chairman here,&#8221; Austin said.
&#8220;I mean, if you were, if we go back in time says, hey, we got two atomic bombs, should we drop them? What would you say?&#8221; Graham clarified his question.
&#8220;Well, you know, I think the leadership was interested in curtailing —&#8221; Austin tried to explain further, but Graham pressed on.
&#8220;What’s Israel interested in? Do you believe Iran really wants to kill all the Jews if they could? The Iranian regime. Do you believe Hamas is serious when they say we’ll keep doing it over and over again? Do you agree that they will if they can?&#8221; the South Carolina senator asked.
Austin&#8217;s reply was simple: &#8220;I do.&#8221;
&#8220;Okay. Alright. Do you believe that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization also bent on the destruction of the Jewish state?&#8221; Graham asked.
&#8220;Hezbollah is a terrorist organization,&#8221; Austin agreed.
&#8220;Okay, so Israel’s been hit in the last few weeks by Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas dedicated to their destruction. And you’re telling me you’re going to tell them how to fight the war?&#8221; Graham asked in apparent disbelief. &#8220;And what they can and can’t use when everybody around them wants to kill all the Jews. And you’re telling me that if we withhold weapons in this fight — the existential fight for the life of the Jewish state — it won’t send the wrong signal? &#8230; If we stop weapons necessary to destroy the enemies of the State of Israel at a time of great peril, we will pay a price. This is obscene. It is absurd. Give Israel what they need to fight the war. They can’t afford to lose. This is Hiroshima and Nagasaki on steroids.&#8221;

lindsey_graham

‘This Is Obscene’: Lindsey Graham Unloads On SecDef After U.S. Withholds Aid To Israel

'This Is Obscene': Lindsey Graham Unloads On SecDef After U.S. Withholds Aid To Israel

Global Politics

Hamas

Israel

Lindsey Graham

Politics

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) grilled officials this week during a hearing about why President Joe Biden was not targeting an Iranian spy ship that is providing intelligence to a terrorist group that is trying to sink American ships in the Red Sea.
Sullivan made the remarks during a hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) about the Iranian-backed Houthis, who have launched numerous attacks over the last five months, including <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-destroys-nearly-a-dozen-terrorist-drones-launched-in-middle-east">this week</a>.
He noted that the commander of U.S. Central Command said recently that he believed that Iran was not paying any cost for the terrorism that its proxies facilitate in the region.
Sullivan noted that Iran has facilitated the attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by providing targeting information to the Houthis.
&#8220;Why are we not sinking Iranian warships, intel ships that are providing targeting intel to kill Marines and sailors from Alaska or North Dakota?&#8221; he asked. &#8220;I mean, I find this outrageous. Why are we not doing that? Why are we not telling the Iranians, overtly or covertly, next time you send intel to target an American warship through the Houthis, we will sink your ships? Why are we not doing that? That&#8217;s so basic to me.&#8221;
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin acknowledged that &#8220;Iran needs to be held accountable for what it&#8217;s doing, continues to do&#8221; but also said, &#8220;attacking Iran is a different issue.&#8221;
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General C.Q. Brown said that the U.S. Military was working to hold Iran accountable for what they were doing and that he could share more in a classified setting.
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Sullivan championed Operation Praying Mantis, an <a href="https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/middle-east/praying-mantis.html">operation</a> during the Reagan administration in which the U.S. Military sank several Iranian ships for laying sea mines that damaged a U.S. destroyer.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Iranian spy ships have been providing the Houthis with intelligence used to target American warships in the Red Sea.
I asked the <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/GenCQBrownJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GenCQBrownJr</a>, why are we not sinking those ships? <a href="https://t.co/Zw5SD0Bfqm">pic.twitter.com/Zw5SD0Bfqm</a>
— Sen. Dan Sullivan (@SenDanSullivan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenDanSullivan/status/1778077555188236532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2024</a></blockquote>

US-OIL-SUMMIT

Senator Sullivan Grills Officials On Why Biden Isn’t Sinking Iranian Ship Providing Intel To Attack U.S. Ships

Conflicts

World

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Defense Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lloyd-austin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lloyd Austin</a> pushed back against claims of a genocide being committed in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/gaza" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gaza</a>, where <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/israel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Israel</a> is fighting <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hamas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hamas terrorists.</a>
Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tom-cotton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Cotton</a> (R-AR) asked Austin to give a response to activists, some of whom have <a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/protesters-interrupt-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-austin-as-news-photo/2148025292?adppopup=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accused</a> the defense secretary himself of facilitating <a href="https://twitter.com/answercoalition/status/1739271658655932696" target="_blank" rel="noopener">genocide</a>, after he testified that Hamas has been committing war crimes by using civilians as human shields.
&#8220;We don&#8217;t have any evidence of genocide being created,&#8221; Austin said. When pressed to address whether Israel specifically is committing genocide, he added, &#8220;We don&#8217;t have evidence of that, to my knowledge.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
COTTON: &quot;Address protestors: Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza?&quot; AUSTIN: &quot;We don&#39;t have any evidence of genocide being created&quot; &quot;So that&#39;s a no. Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza&quot; &quot;We don&#39;t have evidence of that&quot; &quot;Better than Dir. Burns and Dir. Haines did last month&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cdWd5Ue3hZ">pic.twitter.com/cdWd5Ue3hZ</a>
&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1777716557017162126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Cotton credited Austin with doing &#8220;better&#8221; than CIA Director William Burns and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines when they <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?534027-1/senate-select-intelligence-committee-hearing-global-threats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">testified</a> last month. When asked if Israel was &#8220;exterminating&#8221; the Palestinians, neither Burns nor Haines answered the question directly.
Israeli forces have been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip for more than six months after Hamas launched an attack on Israel in October that killed roughly 1,200 people. Some on the Left, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/08/israel-gaza-war-elizabeth-warren-00151120" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claim</a> the war has escalated to the point of genocide.
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Austin stressed that the United States has been &#8220;committed to help assist Israel in defending its territory and its people by providing security assistance.&#8221; The defense secretary also said he &#8220;absolutely&#8221; denied accusations that he personally has facilitated genocide.
The United States continues to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/03/29/us-weapons-israel-gaza-war/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">supply weapons</a> to Israel, but the White House announced last week that President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/04/04/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-call-with-prime-minister-netanyahu-of-israel-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that further U.S. assistance would depend on steps taken to protect aid workers and civilians.
In the face of growing pushback from Biden over the campaign, as well as a <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/03/25/1240669997/united-nations-security-council-cease-fire-resolution-gaza-israel-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener">demand</a> by the United Nations for a ceasefire, Netanyahu said on Sunday there would be <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-withdraws-all-ground-troops-southern-gaza-leaving-one-idf-brigade-enclave" target="_blank" rel="noopener">no ceasefire</a> until all the remaining <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/idf-pulls-ground-troops-from-southern-gaza-stresses-war-is-not-over-until-hostages-are-free" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hostages are free</a>.
Austin <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef/status/1777494200021369121" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X on Monday that he spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to discuss the &#8220;urgent need&#8221; to improve humanitarian assistance delivery to Gaza and protect aid workers. The secretary also said he &#8220;affirmed U.S. support to Israel in the face of Iranian threats.&#8221;

Lloyd Austin, US secretary of defense

Defense Secretary Austin Shoots Down Claims Of Genocide In Gaza

Department of Defense

Gaza

genocide

Pentagon

Tom Cotton

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/house-republicans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">House Republicans</a> engaged Defense Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lloyd-austin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lloyd Austin</a> with pointed lines of questioning as he testified on Thursday about his secretive hospitalization earlier this year <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/walter-reed-medical-center-reveals-why-lloyd-austin-was-hospitalized" target="_blank" rel="noopener">following a procedure to treat prostate cancer</a> and other issues.
During a House Armed Service Committee hearing, GOP members pressed Austin over concerns about a break in the chain of command and accountability. Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) declared, &#8220;Someone needs to be held accountable.&#8221; Democrats used the opportunity to push for the passage of more aid to war-torn Ukraine, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/us/politics/austin-hearing-cancer-hospital.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to The New York Times</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepMikeRogersAL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepMikeRogersAL</a> SLAMS Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin&#39;s failed transparency:
“You are solely responsible…This administration has gone to great lengths to avoid accountability whenever possible, but this is a matter of national security, and someone needs to be held accountable.” <a href="https://t.co/AqGNTRf0xZ">pic.twitter.com/AqGNTRf0xZ</a>
&mdash; Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) <a href="https://twitter.com/WarMachineRR/status/1763222450462953618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Austin testified that he did &#8220;<a href="https://twitter.com/USATODAY/status/1763263343668662709">not handle this right</a>,&#8221; referring to the Department of Defense (DoD) failing to quickly alert other officials about his health, but <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/29/politics/lloyd-austin-congress-hearing/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN reported</a> that he repeatedly insisted there was &#8220;never a break in command and control&#8221; at the Pentagon.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the chairwoman of the House Republican Conference who has called on Austin to resign, pressed the secretary on whether a junior service member would be disciplined for not reporting for duty.
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Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) asks Defense Sec. Austin if a junior service member would be disciplined for not reporting for duty:
Austin: “I think the chain of command would be concerned about why they were in a hospital.” <a href="https://t.co/rdJOvqHix0">pic.twitter.com/rdJOvqHix0</a>
&mdash; The Recount (@therecount) <a href="https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1763242747127795724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;If a service member was in a hospital I think the chain of command would be concerned about why they were in the hospital and make sure that they are doing the right things to take care of them and their families,&#8221; Austin said.
&#8220;But don&#8217;t you think it&#8217;s their responsibility to notify their commanding officer?&#8221; Stefanik asked as a follow-up question. &#8220;I think, possible, yes,&#8221; Austin replied, to which Stefanik shot back, &#8220;The answer is yes.&#8221;
Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), a Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan, pressed Austin on whether he &#8220;usually&#8221; goes days without talking to President Joe Biden.
&#8220;I mean, that can happen,&#8221; Austin said. He noted there are times in which either he or the commander-in-chief is traveling and do not engage in direct communication.
&#8220;Either the president is that aloof or you are irrelevant — which one is it?&#8221; Banks asked. He also pointed out that the Pentagon did not notify the White House for <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-says-confidence-austin-scrutiny-defense-secretarys-hospitalizati-rcna133758" target="_blank" rel="noopener">three days</a> about Austin&#8217;s intensive care unit stay.
&#8220;It&#8217;s neither,&#8221; Austin <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1763250433118679082" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in his reply. &#8220;The president is not aloof.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Rep. Jim Banks: &quot;Do you usually go days without talking to the commander-in-chief?&quot;
Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin: &quot;I mean, that can happen&#8230;&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/RepJimBanks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepJimBanks</a>: &quot;Either the president is that aloof or you are irrelevant — which one is it?&quot;
Austin: &quot;The president is not aloof!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3rOpXFJN3C">pic.twitter.com/3rOpXFJN3C</a>
&mdash; RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1763250433118679082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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During another <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1763243788389028248" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exchange</a> that touched on the COVID pandemic, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said Austin did not immediately inform the president about his treatment for cancer and the complications that followed that prompted a hospital visit because he viewed the matter as personal and private.
&#8220;Now that you see how personal medical decisions are, will you call for the re-recruitment, restoration of full rank and back pay for the 8,600 service members who were vax-mandated out of the military?” Gaetz asked.
&#8220;No, I won&#8217;t,&#8221; Austin said. As the exchange continued, Austin <a href="https://gaetz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gaetz-confronts-secretary-austin-unauthorized-medical-absence-and" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Gaetz</a> that he does not expect to be discharged, suspended, or demoted over the controversy he faces.
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BREAKING: As Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin begs Congress for grace and forgiveness after his unauthorized absence was exposed earlier this year, he REFUSED to give that same grace to the 8,600 service members he kicked out due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate! 
GAETZ: “Now that… <a href="https://t.co/MuVZgBfA9m">pic.twitter.com/MuVZgBfA9m</a>
&mdash; Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1763243788389028248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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After noting how <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/10/politics/military-covid-vaccine-rescinded/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Biden signed off</a> on lifting his administration&#8217;s own military vaccine mandate, Gaetz said, &#8220;You&#8217;re not meeting your own standards that you set for yourself. And you say that the DoD is a learning organization. Haven&#8217;t you learned yet that the military is weaker, not stronger, with the 8,600 people that you&#8217;ve vax-mandated out of the military?&#8221;
In response, Austin said, &#8220;The reason I&#8217;m here is because the chairman requested that I appear to talk about the circumstances surrounding my hospitalization.&#8221;
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Mike Waltz goes off on Lloyd Austin:
&quot;The American people, truck drivers, bartenders, know they have to tell their boss or they get fired — but you’ve held yourself to a different standard, and that’s unacceptable.” <a href="https://t.co/R0NKchTLzG">pic.twitter.com/R0NKchTLzG</a>
&mdash; Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) <a href="https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1763247720192508214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/congressman-and-green-beret-explodes-on-mark-milley-his-retirement-couldnt-come-soon-enough" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retired colonel</a> in the Army National Guard and veteran Green Beret, argued that the hospitalization controversy was not about process but rather judgement.
&#8220;The American people, truck drivers, bartenders, know they have to tell their boss or they get fired — but you’ve held yourself to a different standard, and that’s unacceptable,&#8221; he <a href="https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1763247720192508214" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

House Republicans Grill Def Sec Austin Over Transparency: ‘You’ve Held Yourself To A Different Standard’

House Republicans Grill Def Sec Austin Over Transparency: 'You’ve Held Yourself To A Different Standard'

Cabinet

House Republicans

National Security

U.S. House of Representatives

The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that Defense Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lloyd-austin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lloyd Austin</a> had been released from the hospital after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/doctors-say-def-sec-austin-underwent-non-surgical-procedures-for-bladder-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">receiving treatment</a> for a bladder issue that prompted him to transfer duties to his deputy for a second time in two months.
A statement was released within hours of his departure from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, part of a shift toward more transparency after Austin, 70, faced blowback for not informing top brass in the Biden administration and Congress about his hospitalization on January 1 for complications <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/walter-reed-medical-center-reveals-why-lloyd-austin-was-hospitalized" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stemming from a prostate cancer</a> procedure in December.
&#8220;Following consultation with medical staff, Secretary Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today at approximately 3:30 pm,&#8221; the Department of Defense (DoD) said in the <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3676131/secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-released-from-hospital/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. &#8220;He is recovering well and resumed his full functions and duties today at 5 pm. The Deputy Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House, and Congress have been notified.&#8221;
The statement added, &#8220;On the advice of his doctors, Secretary Austin will recuperate and perform his duties remotely from home for a period before returning to work at the Pentagon later this week. He has full access to the unclassified and classified communications systems necessary to perform his duties.&#8221;
Austin&#8217;s doctors also gave an update on the secretary&#8217;s latest health situation, including a timeline of events that began over the weekend and details about his treatment.
<a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-9096" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onelink.to/dwapp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1700760801843000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PQrVSrJfhxNb4LcARqniG">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a>
&#8220;Secretary Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Feb. 11 with discomfort and concern from a bladder issue related to his December 2023 prostate cancer surgery. His condition indicated a need for close monitoring by the critical care team and supportive care. His diagnostic evaluation identified the cause of his bladder issue and it was corrected with non-surgical procedures on Feb. 12,&#8221; the physicians said.
&#8220;He remained in good condition throughout and no longer needed critical care monitoring on the morning of Feb. 13. He progressed well and was discharged to his home today. He is anticipated to continue his full recovery,&#8221; they added. &#8220;The bladder issue was not related to his cancer diagnosis and will have no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis.&#8221;
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1757130467122217366" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told reporters</a> on Monday that Austin no longer plans to travel to Brussels this week for meetings related to Ukraine and NATO, but other military officials will participate in the talks.
The DoD <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Advisories/Advisory/Article/3676146/secretary-of-defense-opening-remarks-for-19th-ukraine-defense-contact-group-mee/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> on Tuesday that Austin will still host and deliver opening remarks on Wednesday to a virtual meeting of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sec-def-makes-first-public-appearance-since-covert-hospitalization-omits-mention-of-his-health-situation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ukraine Defense Contact Group</a>.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

Def Sec Austin Released From Hospital After Treatment For Bladder Issue

Def Sec Austin Released From Hospital After Bladder Issue

Defense Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lloyd-austin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lloyd Austin</a> appears to be doing well after receiving treatment for a bladder issue that led to him being <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/defense-secretary-austin-transferred-into-critical-care-transfers-duties-to-deputy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transferred into critical care</a> at a hospital in Maryland on Sunday, the Biden administration official&#8217;s doctors said on Monday.
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center officials provided a status update for Austin, who the Pentagon said has temporarily transferred his functions and duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks as Austin recovers from yet another health complication after being treated for prostate cancer.
Austin &#8220;underwent non-surgical procedures under general anesthesia to address his bladder issue. We anticipate a successful recovery and will closely monitor him overnight,&#8221; the doctors said in a <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3674000/statement-from-walter-reed-military-medical-center-officials-on-secretary-of-de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. &#8220;A prolonged hospital stay is not anticipated. We anticipate the Secretary will be able to resume his normal duties tomorrow. The current bladder issue is not expected to change his anticipated full recovery. His cancer prognosis remains excellent.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/PentagonPresSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PentagonPresSec</a> delivers a statement on <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> Austin&#39;s hospitalization, transfer of functions and duties to <a href="https://twitter.com/DepSecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DepSecDef</a> Kathleen Hicks and that Secretary Austin will no longer travel to Brussels this week as originally scheduled. <a href="https://t.co/BiZsh5RTMO">pic.twitter.com/BiZsh5RTMO</a>
&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1757130467122217366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1757130467122217366" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told reporters</a> Austin no longer plans to travel to Brussels this week for meetings related to Ukraine and NATO, but other military officials will participate in the talks. Austin intends to appear virtually for a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sec-def-makes-first-public-appearance-since-covert-hospitalization-omits-mention-of-his-health-situation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ukraine Defense Contact Group discussion</a> on Wednesday, Ryder added.
Austin, 70, faced blowback after the revelation that the secretary had been hospitalized on January 1 for complications <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/walter-reed-medical-center-reveals-why-lloyd-austin-was-hospitalized" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stemming from a prostate cancer</a> procedure and delegated some of his duties to a deputy without informing top brass in the Biden administration and Congress.
Some critics, including GOP lawmakers and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-calls-on-biden-to-fire-defense-chief-for-dereliction-of-duty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">former President Donald Trump</a>, called for Austin&#8217;s ouster as more details emerged, including that Austin kept his cancer diagnosis under wraps until the story broke. Multiple <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pentagon-inspector-general-announces-review-of-austin-going-mia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inquiries</a> ensued, and the White House <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/26/white-house-cabinet-austin-00138188" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released</a> <a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-lloyd-austin-cabinet-f3e03c04ff7d9a0ab062a57ac181bb8f#:~:text=From%20now%20on%2C%20Cabinet%20agencies,once%20that%20delegation%20has%20ended." target="_blank" rel="noopener">new guidelines</a> for Cabinet secretaries to enhance transparency rules when authority is delegated to a subordinate. Testimony before a House panel has been <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/def-sec-austin-agrees-to-testify-before-congress-about-secretive-hospitalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scheduled</a> for February 29.
The Department of Defense <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3658716/secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-returns-to-work-at-the-pentagon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Austin resumed his duties from home after being released from the hospital on January 15, and the secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/def-sec-austin-returns-to-pentagon-addresses-health-situation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returned</a> to work at the Pentagon on January 29. Austin has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/austin-denies-requesting-subtle-ride-to-hospital-blames-aide-should-come-out-in-the-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expressed remorse</a> for how his cancer diagnosis and hospitalization were handled. When Austin returned to the hospital over the weekend, the Pentagon announced his transport within hours of it happening and has provided multiple updates since that time.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1757107099195064354" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told reporters</a> on Monday that he was &#8220;not aware&#8221; of whether President Joe Biden had spoken to Austin following his hospitalization over the weekend but insisted the commander in chief did not have concerns about the secretary&#8217;s ability to serve.

Def Sec Lloyd Austin

Doctors Say Def Sec Austin Underwent Non-Surgical Procedures For Bladder Issue

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was transferred into critical care on Sunday night after being admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier in the day for a bladder issue, the Pentagon <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3673065/statement-from-walter-reed-military-medical-center-officials-on-secretary-of-de/">said</a> in a statement.
The news is the latest wrinkle in a health controversy that began last month over the Cabinet official’s secretive hospitalization for complications following a procedure to treat prostate cancer.
&#8220;Earlier today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was transported by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to be seen for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue,&#8221; the Pentagon said in a statement. &#8220;Tonight, after a series of tests and evaluations, the Secretary was admitted into the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for supportive care and close monitoring.&#8221;
&#8220;At this time, it is not clear how long Secretary Austin will remain hospitalized,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;The current bladder issue is not expected to change his anticipated full recovery. His cancer prognosis remains excellent. Updates on the Secretary&#8217;s condition will be provided as soon as possible.&#8221;
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a separate statement that Austin, at approximately 5 p.m. EST, &#8220;transferred the functions and duties of the office of the Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.&#8221;
Austin, 70, faced blowback earlier this year after the revelation that he had been hospitalized on January 1 for complications stemming from a prostate cancer procedure and delegated some of his duties to a deputy without informing top brass in the Biden administration and Congress.
Some critics, including GOP lawmakers and former President Donald Trump, called for Austin’s ouster as more details emerged, including that Austin kept his cancer diagnosis under wraps until the story broke. Multiple inquiries ensued, and the White House released new guidelines for Cabinet secretaries to enhance transparency rules when authority is delegated to a subordinate.
<a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-9096" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onelink.to/dwapp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1700760801843000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PQrVSrJfhxNb4LcARqniG">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a>
The Department of Defense said Austin resumed his duties from home after being released from the hospital on January 15, and the secretary returned to work at the Pentagon on January 29. Austin has been scheduled to testify before a House committee about “his failure to disclose his hospitalization” on February 29.
During a press conference earlier this month, Austin expressed remorse for how his cancer diagnosis and hospitalization were handled.
“We did not handle this right, and I did not handle this right,” Austin said. “I should’ve told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public. And I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”
Daniel Chaitin contributed to this report.

US-POLITICS-DEFENSE-AUSTIN

Defense Secretary Austin Transferred Into Critical Care, Transfers Duties To Deputy

hospitalized

Military

Defense Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lloyd-austin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lloyd Austin</a> has been sent back to the hospital, the Pentagon announced on Sunday, the latest wrinkle in a health controversy that began last month over the Cabinet official&#8217;s secretive hospitalization for complications <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/walter-reed-medical-center-reveals-why-lloyd-austin-was-hospitalized" target="_blank" rel="noopener">following a procedure to treat prostate cancer</a>.
&#8220;Today, at approximately 2:20 p.m., Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was transported by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to be seen for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue,&#8221; Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a <a href="https://twitter.com/laraseligman/status/1756792174220366235" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> within a few hours of the transport. &#8220;The Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been notified. Additionally, White House and Congressional notifications have occurred.&#8221;
&#8220;At this time, the Secretary is retaining the functions and duties of his office,&#8221; Ryder said. &#8220;The Deputy Secretary is prepared to assume the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense, if required. Secretary Austin traveled to the hospital with the unclassified and classified communications systems necessary to perform his duties.&#8221;
Ryder concluded by saying the Pentagon will provide an update on Austin&#8217;s condition as &#8220;soon as possible.&#8221; He did just that a few hours later, <a href="https://twitter.com/PentagonPresSec/status/1756840367700214211" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a>, &#8220;Secretary Austin is still at the hospital and receiving treatment. At approximately 4:55 pm today, he transferred the functions and duties of the office of the Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.&#8221; Ryder also reported another round of notifications to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House, and Congress.
Austin, 70, faced blowback after the revelation that the secretary had been hospitalized on January 1 for complications <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/walter-reed-medical-center-reveals-why-lloyd-austin-was-hospitalized" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stemming from a prostate cancer</a> procedure and delegated some of his duties to a deputy without informing top brass in the Biden administration and Congress.
Some critics, including GOP lawmakers and <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=trump+austin+daily+wire&amp;sca_esv=248f942d9b8c3839&amp;ei=rd23ZaniIeWxqtsP1MqKmAk&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjp7KWSjYOEAxXlmGoFHVSlApMQ4dUDCBA&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=trump+austin+daily+wire&amp;gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiF3RydW1wIGF1c3RpbiBkYWlseSB3aXJlSPYQUI4BWPEPcAN4AJABAJgBfqABsgmqAQQwLjExuAEDyAEA-AEB4gMEGAEgQYgGAQ&amp;sclient=gws-wiz-serp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">former President Donald Trump</a>, called for Austin&#8217;s ouster as more details emerged, including that Austin kept his cancer diagnosis under wraps until the story broke. Multiple <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pentagon-inspector-general-announces-review-of-austin-going-mia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inquiries</a> ensued, and the White House <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/26/white-house-cabinet-austin-00138188" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released</a> <a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-lloyd-austin-cabinet-f3e03c04ff7d9a0ab062a57ac181bb8f#:~:text=From%20now%20on%2C%20Cabinet%20agencies,once%20that%20delegation%20has%20ended." target="_blank" rel="noopener">new guidelines</a> for Cabinet secretaries to enhance transparency rules when authority is delegated to a subordinate.
The Department of Defense <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3658716/secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-returns-to-work-at-the-pentagon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Austin resumed his duties from home after being released from the hospital on January 15, and the secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/def-sec-austin-returns-to-pentagon-addresses-health-situation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returned</a> to work at the Pentagon on January 29. Austin has been <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/def-sec-austin-agrees-to-testify-before-congress-about-secretive-hospitalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scheduled</a> to testify before a House committee about &#8220;his failure to disclose his hospitalization&#8221; on February 29.
During a press conference earlier this month, Austin <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/austin-denies-requesting-subtle-ride-to-hospital-blames-aide-should-come-out-in-the-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expressed remorse</a> for how his cancer diagnosis and hospitalization were handled.
“We did not handle this right, and I did not handle this right,&#8221; Austin said. &#8220;I should’ve told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public. And I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.&#8221;

Def Sec Austin Sent Back To Hospital For Possible Bladder Issue

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