Austin says he never told anyone on his staff to keep White House in the dark on hospitalization
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says he never directed anyone on his staff not to tell the White House he’d been hospitalized and he takes full responsibility for keeping President Joe Biden in the dark for weeks that he had prostate cancer
By LOLITA C. BALDOR and TARA COPP
Published - Feb 01, 2024, 11:10 AM ET
Last Updated - Feb 01, 2024, 11:10 AM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday he never directed anyone on his staff not to tell the White House he'd been hospitalized and takes full responsibility for keeping President Joe Biden in the dark for weeks that he'd been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Speaking to reporters in the Pentagon briefing room, Austin provided his most extensive comments to date on the secrecy surrounding his cancer diagnosis and struggles with complications since his surgery on Dec. 22. It was the first time he had answered questions from reporters since being rushed back to the hospital on Jan. 1.
