The US Secretary of Defense has been hospitalized since January 1, but the Pentagon did not announce this until now, and there is controversy.

The Pentagon reported that the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized since Monday Due to complications resulting from a simple medical procedure, and although he did not give more details for “privacy” reasons, he confirmed that Official 'recovering well'.

The information was provided Friday by the Pentagon's press secretary, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Rader, and was the first official acknowledgment of Austin's admission.Five days ago At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Ryder said Friday that it was unclear when Austin would be laid off, but he said the minister was “recovering well and expects to fully resume his activities today.”

The Pentagon said Austin suffered “complications after a recent elective medical procedure,” but declined to reveal the procedure or complications he suffered.

Elective medical intervention is an operation that patients need to undergo, but not immediately. Unlike emergency surgery, it is planned in advance.

The Pentagon failed to disclose that Austin had been hospitalized It is contrary to usual practice With senior US officials and ministers, including the President.

The Pentagon Press Association, which represents members of the media covering the Department of Defense, sent a letter of protest to Rader and Chris Meijer, the undersecretary of defense for public affairs.

“The fact that he has been at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for four days and that the Pentagon is alerting the public so far as late as Friday afternoon is a scandal,” the Pentagon Press Association said in your letter.

“at the time There are increasing threats to US military service members In the Middle East, with the United States playing key national security roles in the wars in Israel and Ukraine, this is particularly important to the American people. Be aware of the health condition “And the decision-making capacity of the Supreme Defense Commander,” the letter adds.

Ryder said this is an “evolving situation” and that, Due to medical considerations and privacy concerns, the department did not publicly announce Austin's absence.. He declined to provide further details about the medical procedure or Austin's health.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks “was prepared at all times to act on behalf of the Secretary and exercise her powers, if necessary,” Ryder said in a statement.

Austin, 70, spent 41 years in the Army, retiring as a four-star general in 2016.