US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday apologised for failing to tell President Joe Biden and senior staff about his recent prostate cancer diagnosis ahead of time, adding that the health scare was a “gut punch” that had shaken him.
Austin, 70, also apologised for the way he handled his subsequent hospitalisation, which was kept secret from the public, senior staff and Biden himself for days.
“[Biden] has responded with a grace and warm heart that anyone who knows President Biden would expect and I’m grateful for his full confidence in me,” Austin said in his first press conference since his secret hospitalisation.
Austin’s secrecy surrounding his condition and his January 1 hospitalisation caught the White House and Congress off guard, and even Biden did not know Austin was hospitalised during much of the first week of January.
“I did not handle this right,” Austin said.
The incident triggered a political uproar. Republicans accused Austin of dereliction of duty. Biden, a Democrat, has said he has confidence in Austin despite what the president agreed was a lapse in judgment.
Austin said privacy and not secrecy was behind his decision not to tell the White House or public about the diagnosis earlier.
“It was a gut punch,” Austin said referring to his diagnosis.
US defence chief has prostate cancer – and Biden just found out
US defence chief has prostate cancer – and Biden just found out
Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Maryland on December 22 to treat prostate cancer. He returned to the hospital on January 1 due to complications that included a urinary tract infection.
His hospitalisation was not disclosed until four days later, and the Pentagon did not specify why he was being treated until January 9.
Austin said he had never directed anyone in his staff to keep his January hospitalisation from the White House or the public.
Some prominent Republicans, including former US president Donald Trump, called for Austin to be removed from his job. Austin is a retired four-star general who led forces in Iraq and who is America’s first black defence secretary.