Updated on February 12, 2024 at 10:54 am ET
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was taken to the hospital Sunday to be observed for “symptoms suggestive of an emergent bladder problem,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
On Sunday afternoon, he transferred the duties of his office to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.
“The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House and Congress have been informed,” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.
The Pentagon said Austin was still hospitalized as of Sunday evening.
The Sunday afternoon announcement came just weeks after Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December and was hospitalized on December 22 for a related procedure.
Austin transferred his authority to Hicks the next day, but neither he nor President Biden knew Austin was in the hospital. He was admitted to the hospital again on January 1 due to complications from the first procedure. Biden did not learn of his hospitalization until January 4.
Members of Congress criticized Austin for concealing his diagnosis and treatment from the president and lawmakers, forcing the 70-year-old to hold a press conference and apologize earlier this month.
“We didn’t handle this right and I didn’t handle it the right way,” Austin said. “I should have told the President about my cancer diagnosis. I should have told my team and the American public as well, and I take full responsibility for that.”
Austin’s security detail took him to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Sunday afternoon, the Pentagon said.
In a joint statement later that day, trauma medical director Dr. John Maddox and Dr. Gregory Chesnutt, director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research at Murtha Cancer Center, said Austin had been admitted to the critical care unit and was unwell How long will he stay? Hospitalization.
“The ongoing bladder problem is not expected to alter his anticipated full recovery,” he said. “His cancer prognosis remains excellent.”
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