Biden Reprimands Defense Chief Austin for Hospitalization, But He Still Supports Him

Washington: US President Joe Biden expressed his continued trust in Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday, but he bemoaned the Pentagon chief’s poor decision to keep Biden unaware of his continuous hospitalization.

Due to problems from his treatment for prostate cancer, Austin has been in the hospital since January 1. However, he did not notify the White House or Congress for many days following his admission, which sparked demands for his resignation and raised concerns about his involvement in matters of national security.

In response to the question of whether Austin made a mistake by not telling him, Biden said, “Yes.” Inquiring further, reporters questioned the Democratic president about his continued confidence in his military secretary. “Yes,” he said.

Austin was claimed to have worked from his hospital bed earlier on Friday as American and British troops prepared to launch an attack on the Huthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by Iran.

“He was fully engaged even from his hospital bed,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told MSNBC, adding that Austin “was involved actively and intimately all day yesterday with the national security team here at the White House and of course with the commander-in-chief, with President Biden.”

“The president has said unequivocally that Secretary Austin will continue to serve as his defense secretary. Kirby said, “He has complete trust and confidence in Secretary Austin and his leadership.

“That leadership… was on display to everybody in the national security team as he in a hospital bed still leading and commanding our forces in some dangerous missions here,” he said.

Since Hamas launched its historic onslaught on Israel on October 7, the Huthis have launched an increasing number of drone and missile attacks against the main international waterway across the Red Sea, sparking the Gaza conflict.

The troops of Washington and London launched nocturnal raids on scores of sites in Yemen after the rebels disregarded a warning last week from the United States and other nations that they would face consequences if they continued the assaults.