Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Undergo Medical Procedure at Walter Reed

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to undergo a minimally invasive medical procedure for bladder issues at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The procedure, which is elective and unrelated to his past prostate cancer diagnosis, will require Austin to temporarily transfer power to his deputy.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will undergo a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Friday evening and will transfer power temporarily to his deputy as he continues to deal with bladder issues that arose in December following his treatment for prostate cancer, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement. The procedure is elective and minimally invasive, “is not related to his cancer diagnosis and has had no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis,” Ryder said.