US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized since New Year's, but the Pentagon has remained silent about the matter until now.
Defense Secretary Pat Ryder's press secretary says the reason for the acceptance was the complications that occurred after the planned operation. Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center five days ago, according to the press secretary.
It is unclear when the Defense Secretary could be fired, but Ryder says Austin is on the mend.
The Pentagon's secrecy about admissions is inconsistent with standard practice when the president or other high-ranking officials or ministers need medical treatment. The Pentagon Press Association (PPA) press center sent a letter of complaint to Rader and Chris Meagher on the department's media staff.
The fact that he was at Walter Reed Hospital for four days and the Pentagon has not yet issued any statements is anything but shocking, PPA wrote.
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