What’s happening

Reports have surfaced that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did not immediately disclose his New Year’s Day hospitalization to President Joe Biden and other top officials. Despite this, a White House official has confirmed that President Biden is not looking to remove Austin from his position.

Why it matters

As the second in the military chain of command right below the President, Lloyd Austin is expected to be available and transparent about his wellbeing due to the sensitive nature of national security. The delayed disclosure raises questions about communication transparency within the U.S. defense hierarchy.

The response

In light of the situation, Austin has publicly accepted “full responsibility” for the lack of prompt reporting of his hospitalization. The exact health concerns that required his hospitalization remain undisclosed to the public. This situation brings national security protocols into the spotlight and places an emphasis on the smooth and open flow of crucial, timely information.

Big picture

Secretary Austin’s integral role in national defense and his recent hospitalization have not affected his standing with President Biden. The leadership of the Pentagon remains intact amidst this occurrence, highlighting the President’s confidence in his defense chief during a time of critical national and global affairs.

This story was first published on jpost.com.