U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with members of the press at the Pentagon on Thursday. Austin addressed the botched communication around his cancer diagnosis resulting in him going MIA for several days while international crises raged around the world.
“We did not handle this right and I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I take full responsibility,” Austin admitted.
“The news shook me,” Austin, 70, said when he first got the diagnosis. “Frankly my first instinct was to keep it private.”
“I never directed anyone to keep my January hospitalization from the White House,” Austin said.
During the press conference, Austin was asked why he shouldn’t be fired; Austin dodged.
“Anyone else within the military chain of command would have faced reprimand or even dismissal. Why shouldn’t that same standard apply to you?”
Watch the clip below:
Reporter: “Anyone else within the military chain of command would have faced reprimand or even dismissal. Why shouldn't that same standard apply to you?”
Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin says “thanks for the question” and then doesn’t answer. pic.twitter.com/wbF4da1IHD
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 1, 2024
Watch Austin’s full remarks below:
BREAKING: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's FULL press conference. pic.twitter.com/XAS4JmTJbw
— Craig R. Brittain (@RealBrittain) February 1, 2024
