Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin finally took questions from the media, almost a month after the controversy over him being missing from his job and not telling anyone about his cancer, including Joe Biden, for days. Austin limped into the briefing room.
“I want to be crystal clear: We did not handle this right. And I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility,” Austin said. “I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”
Incredibly, Austin claimed there was no interruption in the chain of command. Yet he wouldn't answer the question about what his deputy knew and when she knew it, which is part of the issue. He said he would wait for the "review," yet he knows what he said to her — or didn't.
The unannounced absence of someone in such a critical position revealed serious problems of transparency and issues within the Biden team. It raised serious questions if the Biden team and other officials didn't even realize for days that Austin was missing/ill or know what the story was.
Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin during his first press conference since his incapacitation scandal:
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 1, 2024
“Frankly, my first instinct was to keep it private. I don’t think it’s news that I’m a pretty private guy.” pic.twitter.com/dbvMSzwnig
“I was being treated for prostate cancer, the news shook me, and I know that it shakes so many others especially in a Black community,” Austin said.
“Frankly, my first instinct was to keep it private. I don’t think it’s news that I’m a pretty private guy, I never like burdening others with my problems. It’s just not my way. But I’ve learned from this experience, taking this kind of job means losing some of the privacy that most of us expect. The American people have a right to know if their leaders are facing health challenges that might affect their ability to perform their duties even temporarily,” Austin added.
But of course, he should have already known that it isn't just a private matter — that it's something he should have shared, given his high position. When you are the Secretary of Defense, your personal problems can affect the nation.
He said that he personally apologized to Biden and was "grateful for his full confidence in me." He then said he missed the opportunity to use his illness to do something of a PSA about prostate cancer to tell men to get screened. He said stats showed it to be more common with black men.
He said he didn't direct anyone not to tell the White House, and he was asked if he directed anyone to keep this from any other officials. He was also asked if anyone had been disciplined. His answer was interesting.
Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin insists he never directed his staff to keep his condition from senior officials or the public.
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 1, 2024
He doesn’t answer if anyone has been disciplined for hiding his condition. pic.twitter.com/1MTgbiCieR
"To answer your question on whether or not I directed, uh, my staff to conceal my hospitalization from anyone else, the answer is no," he said. "Anyone else?" Is that a misspeak, or is that an admission that he did direct them to conceal it from someone?
He didn't answer if anyone has been disciplined for hiding his condition. When they don't say, you know the answer is no. He said he never considered resigning.
He doesn't really answer the question here as to whether his staff was aware of his hospitalization.
Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin can’t explain why his staff told the ambulance “no lights, no sirens.”
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 1, 2024
Repeatedly throughout this press conference, Austin doesn't answer questions about who knew what when. pic.twitter.com/qDrBTU20uv
Finally, one reporter puts him on the spot and says anyone else would have faced reprimand or dismissal for not telling his higher-ups for days what was going on.
Reporter: “Anyone else within the military chain of command would have faced reprimand or even dismissal. Why shouldn't that same standard apply to you?”
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 1, 2024
Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin says “thanks for the question” and then doesn’t answer. pic.twitter.com/wbF4da1IHD
He thanks the reporter for the question, and then he again doesn't answer it.
Typical Biden situation: a complete mess, but everyone gets a pass, and no one is held responsible. And he doesn't think he has to give us answers to those questions, even when he's the guy who would know the answers.
Related:
NEW: 911 Call From Defense Secretary's Residence Shows Intent to Keep Hospitalization a Secret
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