My feeling is that his actual medical condition is not our business. He has a HIPPA right just like anyone else. The bottom line, for me, is that if you are not going to be at work, you tell your boss. Period, full stop. If I had done that when I was in the hospital, I'd have been in a lot of trouble. PS - Trump!!! Who never disclosed ANYTHING he was not forced to????
Thank you Mercy. That exactly my thoughts too. We don't need to know his underlying medical conditions. Why he went to the hospital first and second time. This is so rightly protectEd by HIPPA law as you correctly alluded to. No one is above the law (as Trump seem to think). Also no one is below the law.
However, Mr Austin absolutely should have informed his superiors including the President that he is sick. NO EXCUSE for that at all. Now should he be fired for that ?, absolutely not. This is a minor scandal compared to the daily scandals that plaqueEd Trump's Presidency and that's why he was voted out in 2020. .
My feeling is that as 6th in line for presidential succession and for someone who reports directly to the President on all matters of defense, you give up a certain amount of privacy when you take the job. Just my personal opinion, but this is definitely a fireable offense.
Probably this just underlines your basic point about the lack of info, but I don't believe he was "hospitalized" on the Friday before Christmas. From what I've read, he went in for an elective procedure that day on an outpatient basis and went home. [Never mind, he stayed over one night, as planned -- so he was hospitalized.] Then indeed, a week and a half later, on New Years Day, he had to be hospitalized, due to one of those complications that can come from any operation and are listed on all that paperwork you get before even the simplest procedure.
Aside from that -- the fact that this wasn't shared is an embarrassing, stupid mistake, but beyond acknowledging it, taking responsibility in writing, and committing to making actual changes so that it never happens again, I'm not sure what else he could or should do. The fact that the procedure was whatever it was just feels intrusive and irrelevant (the communications error would be the same regardless of the underlying procedure) and those details might reveal more about his private life and health than should be revealed, whether to the public or to our adversaries.
Lloyd Austin, like all Americans, is entitled to some degree of medical privacy about the intimate specifics of his elective procedure. I don’t think that the public needs to know those details . That said, the Pentagon, and most certainly the President, should have been made aware of the particulars of his hospitalization, his chain of command should have been secured by prompt and complete knowledge of the situation, and that did not happen. President Biden will make a decision about Austin’s continued leadership at the Pentagon, I suspect that, on reflection, Austin will go.
I agree. We the People don’t need to know but Congress and POTUS should definitely be told.
I just don’t understand why he didn’t tell someone. Maybe he wants out of the job but there are ways to resign without making yourself and the whole of the Pentagon look grossly incompetent.
Thank you writing this, Chris, I was thinking of asking about Austin as a mailbag question.
This whole thing is very strange and it feels like SecDef doesn't get how this whole thing works when you're a cabinet official. Which, he's been on the job almost three years now.
I get the feeling when he's out of the hospital (hopefully soon?), he'll have to take a flogging from the press corps and Congress and that will determine if he keeps his job.
I love that Trump is calling for Austin to be fired. Shouldn't he have fired himself when he was so less than transparent about his health when in office? Oh. That's right. He's above the law and common sense.
This extremely important position can't be left to a man, who doesn't realize that he could have died with the initial "elective" surgery. And I'm not being overwrought.
I recently had an out-patient procedure for an esophageal exam for which I was anesthetized. While highly unlikely, I had to sign a wavier that I was told by the doctor there was a chance of my death.
If I had this procedure during my professional life, my boss, peers, and reports would have been informed that I would be out for a time for medical reasons. I would not have had to explain other than the reason for my absence.
Austin has to bite the bullet and take the honorable action --- resign.
The concerns you express are appropriate. I would expect Biden will get the answers to the questions you outline, however, consistent with Biden’s style, we may never hear what those answers are.
Appreciate your post on Austin’s conduct in this matter.
So... the Pentagon doesn't have an HR department who can inform all the necessary parties of potential changes in command, while maintaining every citizen's right to privacy? I mean come on! With how much of our tax dollars are spent on Defense!
Agree with everyone else about the privacy aspect. No one’s business. But as a simple chain of command, or really just as a basic issue of good management this is sloppy at best and potentially disastrous at worst. My question is, does that reflect directly on Austin’s ability as a manager or is it a deeper flaw at the Pentagon in general? Why weren’t there protocols for such an eventuality? It seems so basic. People have medical issues all the time. Most organizations have a preset procedure to deal with that when it comes up. That it didn’t happen at almost the highest level of government is just mind blowing to me.
Jake Tapper (CNN) did an interview with retired General Hertling last week regarding the Austin situation. Hertling stated what is in many of the earlier comments: that Secretary Austin has a right to privacy in regards to his medical condition. Hertling went further, however, asserting that the DoD has a strict policy regarding not releasing medical information for any of its members, and that includes the Secretary of Defense. This, according to Hertling, is why the Pentagon has not released any information.
That said, it is inexcusable not to inform your boss and a person who is assuming your responsibilities, I.e., the Deputy Secretary of Defense, that you are undergoing a medical procedure. Having undergone numerous medical procedures in 2023 for a successful fight against cancer, I, too, had to sign documents attesting that I was aware that I could die as a result of the procedures. Indeed, I came close to anaphylaxis with my first chemo treatment (thank goodness for a team of seasoned nurses on hand). I work only part-time, remotely, for a very small company. Obviously, I don’t have a job resembling Austin’s in the slightest, and never have, but my boss knew where I was for every chemo and radiation treatment. It’s just the professional thing to do.
Great piece Chris! One point of consideration is it's also the fact he's the Secretary of Defense, and at any given minute, he could be required to make a decision critical to the country and the world for that matter. I truthfully would not hold all cabinet secretaries or officials within the administration, but some, including this position I would.
At a minimum, others should have been informed of what was going on. I dare say if it was me, I'd be asked questions by my employer if I just wasn't available for several days.
I'm guessing the outpatient procedure was something embarrassing. Maybe cosmetic surgery, or something else he wouldn't want people to know about. Maybe this is the reason for trying to get through it without disclosing.
Don't take the job unless your are willing to fulfill your respobsibilities. A clear chain of command, especially with regard to nuclear weapons, needs to be maintained. Gen Austin didn't act properly. Whether or not he keeps his job is up to the President.
My feeling is that his actual medical condition is not our business. He has a HIPPA right just like anyone else. The bottom line, for me, is that if you are not going to be at work, you tell your boss. Period, full stop. If I had done that when I was in the hospital, I'd have been in a lot of trouble. PS - Trump!!! Who never disclosed ANYTHING he was not forced to????
Trump should NEVER be the standard for anything.
Thank you Mercy. That exactly my thoughts too. We don't need to know his underlying medical conditions. Why he went to the hospital first and second time. This is so rightly protectEd by HIPPA law as you correctly alluded to. No one is above the law (as Trump seem to think). Also no one is below the law.
However, Mr Austin absolutely should have informed his superiors including the President that he is sick. NO EXCUSE for that at all. Now should he be fired for that ?, absolutely not. This is a minor scandal compared to the daily scandals that plaqueEd Trump's Presidency and that's why he was voted out in 2020. .
My feeling is that as 6th in line for presidential succession and for someone who reports directly to the President on all matters of defense, you give up a certain amount of privacy when you take the job. Just my personal opinion, but this is definitely a fireable offense.
Probably this just underlines your basic point about the lack of info, but I don't believe he was "hospitalized" on the Friday before Christmas. From what I've read, he went in for an elective procedure that day on an outpatient basis and went home. [Never mind, he stayed over one night, as planned -- so he was hospitalized.] Then indeed, a week and a half later, on New Years Day, he had to be hospitalized, due to one of those complications that can come from any operation and are listed on all that paperwork you get before even the simplest procedure.
Aside from that -- the fact that this wasn't shared is an embarrassing, stupid mistake, but beyond acknowledging it, taking responsibility in writing, and committing to making actual changes so that it never happens again, I'm not sure what else he could or should do. The fact that the procedure was whatever it was just feels intrusive and irrelevant (the communications error would be the same regardless of the underlying procedure) and those details might reveal more about his private life and health than should be revealed, whether to the public or to our adversaries.
Lloyd Austin, like all Americans, is entitled to some degree of medical privacy about the intimate specifics of his elective procedure. I don’t think that the public needs to know those details . That said, the Pentagon, and most certainly the President, should have been made aware of the particulars of his hospitalization, his chain of command should have been secured by prompt and complete knowledge of the situation, and that did not happen. President Biden will make a decision about Austin’s continued leadership at the Pentagon, I suspect that, on reflection, Austin will go.
I agree. We the People don’t need to know but Congress and POTUS should definitely be told.
I just don’t understand why he didn’t tell someone. Maybe he wants out of the job but there are ways to resign without making yourself and the whole of the Pentagon look grossly incompetent.
Is it sad that this characterization made me chuckle out loud: "a rare bit of bipartisanship to break out on Capitol Hill"
Thank you writing this, Chris, I was thinking of asking about Austin as a mailbag question.
This whole thing is very strange and it feels like SecDef doesn't get how this whole thing works when you're a cabinet official. Which, he's been on the job almost three years now.
I get the feeling when he's out of the hospital (hopefully soon?), he'll have to take a flogging from the press corps and Congress and that will determine if he keeps his job.
He shouldn't wait ---- he put Uncle Joe in an extremely awkward position. He showed extremely poor judgment.
I love that Trump is calling for Austin to be fired. Shouldn't he have fired himself when he was so less than transparent about his health when in office? Oh. That's right. He's above the law and common sense.
"...improper professional conduct and dereliction of duty..." Wow! What an accusation from you know who!!!
Really POOR JUDGMENT, Mr. Secretary!!!
This extremely important position can't be left to a man, who doesn't realize that he could have died with the initial "elective" surgery. And I'm not being overwrought.
I recently had an out-patient procedure for an esophageal exam for which I was anesthetized. While highly unlikely, I had to sign a wavier that I was told by the doctor there was a chance of my death.
If I had this procedure during my professional life, my boss, peers, and reports would have been informed that I would be out for a time for medical reasons. I would not have had to explain other than the reason for my absence.
Austin has to bite the bullet and take the honorable action --- resign.
The concerns you express are appropriate. I would expect Biden will get the answers to the questions you outline, however, consistent with Biden’s style, we may never hear what those answers are.
Appreciate your post on Austin’s conduct in this matter.
Another splendid piece, Chris. This is hugely important to know and there needs to be questions asked and answered.
So... the Pentagon doesn't have an HR department who can inform all the necessary parties of potential changes in command, while maintaining every citizen's right to privacy? I mean come on! With how much of our tax dollars are spent on Defense!
Exactly! He does seem a bit overboard on protecting his privacy, but to seemingly exclude pretty much everyone is downright weird.
Agree with everyone else about the privacy aspect. No one’s business. But as a simple chain of command, or really just as a basic issue of good management this is sloppy at best and potentially disastrous at worst. My question is, does that reflect directly on Austin’s ability as a manager or is it a deeper flaw at the Pentagon in general? Why weren’t there protocols for such an eventuality? It seems so basic. People have medical issues all the time. Most organizations have a preset procedure to deal with that when it comes up. That it didn’t happen at almost the highest level of government is just mind blowing to me.
Jake Tapper (CNN) did an interview with retired General Hertling last week regarding the Austin situation. Hertling stated what is in many of the earlier comments: that Secretary Austin has a right to privacy in regards to his medical condition. Hertling went further, however, asserting that the DoD has a strict policy regarding not releasing medical information for any of its members, and that includes the Secretary of Defense. This, according to Hertling, is why the Pentagon has not released any information.
That said, it is inexcusable not to inform your boss and a person who is assuming your responsibilities, I.e., the Deputy Secretary of Defense, that you are undergoing a medical procedure. Having undergone numerous medical procedures in 2023 for a successful fight against cancer, I, too, had to sign documents attesting that I was aware that I could die as a result of the procedures. Indeed, I came close to anaphylaxis with my first chemo treatment (thank goodness for a team of seasoned nurses on hand). I work only part-time, remotely, for a very small company. Obviously, I don’t have a job resembling Austin’s in the slightest, and never have, but my boss knew where I was for every chemo and radiation treatment. It’s just the professional thing to do.
Great piece Chris! One point of consideration is it's also the fact he's the Secretary of Defense, and at any given minute, he could be required to make a decision critical to the country and the world for that matter. I truthfully would not hold all cabinet secretaries or officials within the administration, but some, including this position I would.
At a minimum, others should have been informed of what was going on. I dare say if it was me, I'd be asked questions by my employer if I just wasn't available for several days.
I'm guessing the outpatient procedure was something embarrassing. Maybe cosmetic surgery, or something else he wouldn't want people to know about. Maybe this is the reason for trying to get through it without disclosing.
Don't take the job unless your are willing to fulfill your respobsibilities. A clear chain of command, especially with regard to nuclear weapons, needs to be maintained. Gen Austin didn't act properly. Whether or not he keeps his job is up to the President.