Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Undergo Medical Procedure, Transfers Power to Deputy

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will temporarily transfer power to Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks as he undergoes an elective, minimally invasive procedure at Walter Reed. Austin has faced recurring bladder issues since his prostate cancer treatment in December. The procedure is unrelated to his cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will undergo a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and will transfer power temporarily to his deputy, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement. Austin is continuing to deal with bladder issues that arose in December following his treatment for prostate cancer, Ryder said.

The procedure he will undergo on Friday evening is elective and minimally invasive, "is not related to his cancer diagnosis and has had no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis," the press secretary said.

Austin will transfer authority to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks while he is indisposed, the Pentagon said. Austin, 70, has had ongoing health issues since undergoing surgery to address a prostate cancer diagnosis. He spent two weeks in the hospital following complications from a prostatectomy. Austin faced criticism at the time for not immediately informing the president or Congress of either his diagnosis or hospitalization. Austin was taken back to Walter Reed in February for a bladder issue, admitted to intensive care for a second time and underwent a non-surgical procedure under general anesthesia at the time. The Pentagon has notified the White House and Congress, Ryder said.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)