Hicks took over Austin’s duties just before 5 p.m. local time (11 p.m. in Belgium). “It is not clear at this time how long Secretary Austin will remain in the hospital,” the Pentagon said.
Pentagon spokesman Pay Ryder added that the deputy secretary of defense, the White House and members of Congress were immediately notified.
At the beginning of this year, Austin came under fire for keeping his prostate cancer and a hospital stay due to complications a secret. President Joe Biden also did not know for days that his minister had been admitted. He later reaffirmed his support for Austin. On January 15, Austin was allowed to leave the hospital.
LOOK. Austin under fire for keeping quiet about prostate cancer
According to the Pentagon, Austin’s bladder problem is not expected to compromise “his full recovery from prostate cancer”: “His cancer prognosis remains excellent.”