U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in recent days the target of Republicans after reports he was admitted to the hospital but did not inform the Commander in Chief, has been diagnosed with cancer.
“Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December and underwent a minimally invasive procedure, officials from Walter Reed said in a statement Tuesday,” NBC News reports.
While his “prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent,” officials said “Austin was then admitted to Walter Reed on Jan. 1 ‘with complications from the December 22 procedure, including nausea with severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain.'”
Secretary Austin is currently hospitalized and is in full contact with his senior staff, officials said.
Walter Reed officials in a statement said Austin was admitted on December 22 and had recovered uneventfully.
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MSNBC reports Sec. Austin was working on Christmas Day, including being in contact with President Biden, ahead of a military strike.
Secretary Austin is America’s first Black Defense Secretary. He was confirmed in 2021 by a 93-2 Senate vote.
U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) on Tuesday filed legislation to impeach Secretary Austin.
Also Tuesday, four other House Republicans have called for Secretary Austin to resign or be fired: U.S. Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX), Mike Garcia (R-CA), Scott Franklin (R-FL), and Jake Ellzey (R-TX).
House Republican Conference chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) on Monday called for Austin’s resignation, as did U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).
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