Lloyd Austin first seen in a MONTH after secret hospital travel scandal: Defense Secretary joins Zoom meeting on misuse of US weapons in Ukraine after prostate cancer treatment
- Austin joined the Zoom meeting from his home
- It was his first public sighting since his secret hospitalization
- Austin is recovering from prostate cancer surgery
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was seen Tuesday for the first time since his secret hospitalization for complications from his prostate cancer surgery.
Austin, 70, appeared virtually and from home at a meeting on Ukraine’s military needs during a Zoom call with stakeholders.
He looked gaunt as he sat in front of a white wall with what looked like a security system keypad to his left and a Department of Defense seal to his right. Small flags of the US and Ukraine were visible.
According to Reuters, the defense minister skipped prepared remarks that would have discussed his health.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was seen during a Zoom meeting – his first public appearance since his secret hospitalization
βI urge this group to dig deep to provide Ukraine with more life-saving air defense systems and ground-based interceptors,β Austin said in his opening statement.
Austin’s call for 50 other countries to give money to Ukraine came as the administration waits for Congress to pass a budget and possibly approve more money for Ukraine’s struggle.
Until then, the US looks to its allies to continue the funding battle.
Austin underwent surgery for prostate cancer on December 22 and left the hospital the next day. He returned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on January 1, but did not tell President Joe Biden where he was until January 4.
Austin did not reveal the cause of his surgery β his prostate cancer β until January 9 after facing days of questions about his hospitalization. Biden heard about it the same day as the general public.
The Minister of Defense was released from hospital on Monday after fifteen days of recovery.
His complications included βnausea with severe abdominal, leg and hip pain.β The early diagnosis was a urinary tract infection, but further testing showed that Austin had a fluid buildup in his abdomen that was impairing the function of his small intestine.
Both Democrats and Republicans condemned Austin for the secrecy. Some called for his resignation.
Biden supported his defense secretary, but warned him against an error of judgment.
The White House is investigating the matter. Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients sent a memo to Cabinet secretaries, instructing them to keep the White House informed if they might be unable to perform their duties.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took part in a Zoom meeting on Ukraine
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, 70, was hospitalized on January 1 and released on January 15. This most recent photo shows him on December 20
Secretary Austin was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
The Pentagon’s inspector general is also investigating the mishandling of Austin’s secret hospitalization.
Every year, eight in ten men and six in ten black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. The risk for men increases as they get older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the most common cancer among men in the United States.
The five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer in the United States is 97%.
Austin will work from home as his recovery continues.
He will need to do physical therapy and regular follow-ups, but he is expected to make a full recovery, his doctors said. He does not require any further treatment for his cancer.
βI am grateful for the excellent care I received at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and would like to thank the excellent physicians and nursing staff for their professionalism and excellent support,β Austin said in a statement.
βAs I continue to recover and perform my duties from home, I am eager to make a full recovery and return to the Pentagon as soon as possible,β he said.