Biden kept in the dark over defence chief’s stay in ICU

Lloyd Austin issues statement taking blame for not disclosing his hospitalisation
Keiran Southern
, Los Angeles
The Times
Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, is said to have resumed his duties despite remaining in hospital
Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, is said to have resumed his duties despite remaining in hospital
VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA/REUTERS
Keiran Southern
, Los Angeles
The Times

President Biden was not told that his defence secretary had spent days in an intensive care unit last week, a remarkable disclosure as the US faces conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.

The Pentagon said on Friday that Lloyd Austin had been in hospital since January 1 suffering from complications after an elective medical procedure. Biden had not been made aware of this until Thursday, according to Politico, which quoted a Department of Defense (DoD) official as saying “someone’s head has to roll”.

Austin, 70, released a statement on Saturday, thanking staff at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland and taking responsibility for the delay in notifying the American people of his condition.

“I recognise I could have done a better