News |||. Even his deputy did not know about the hospitalization of the head of the Pentagon

 Even his deputy did not know about the hospitalization of the head of the Pentagon

The hospitalization of Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin was kept in deep secrecy. Even his deputy and third person in the chain of command of the US armed forces, Kathleen Hicks, did not know about this when she had to take over as chief, Mediaite reports, citing a CNN report.

Austin was admitted to the hospital due to complications from a routine medical procedure. But Biden administration officials remained in the dark for more than three days, the newspaper notes.

According to CNN, Hicks made “certain routine operational and management decisions” for the Pentagon last week and was authorized to assist the president. But the official, who was on vacation in Puerto Rico at the time, was not informed about Austin's treatment until Jan. 4.

Upon learning of what had happened, Hicks planned to return to Washington. But since the Pentagon chief was expected to return to full duties on Friday, she decided to remain in Puerto Rico.

“Did not one of all these people who constantly surround the minister, work with him and help him day in and day out, have the opportunity to report this to the White House? “I’m surprised that no one is still using the word ‘cover-up,’” a Pentagon official commented on the situation in an interview with CNN.

It is unclear what procedures Austin underwent or whether he was incapacitated due to complications. In an official statement, the minister assured that his condition was improving, and also acknowledged the problems that the concealment of his whereabouts had caused, Mediaite notes.