Biden under pressure to sack defence chief who kept him in dark about hospital stay

Joe Biden is under mounting pressure to sack his defence chief, Lloyd Austin, after he kept the US president in the dark for four days over his hospitalisation.

Mr Austin, 70, who was still in hospital on Sunday, was admitted on New Year’s Day for what the Pentagon said were “complications” following a recent elective surgery.

“I think it was a dereliction of duty and the Secretary and the administration, frankly, need to step forward and give the American people the facts.”

“It is unbelievable,” Jeff Lord, who worked in the Reagan White House, told The Telegraph. “I can’t imagine how nobody in the White House knew he was in hospital and not at his job. The president should have been informed.

“This is off-the-charts irresponsible. We are in a nuclear age for starters and with what is going on in Ukraine and Israel, the negligence is stunning.”

Unclear when Mr Austin discharged 

The Pentagon, which said Mr Austin resumed his full duties on Friday, was unable to say when the defence secretary would be discharged from Walter Reed Hospital.

It also declined to disclose details of Mr Austin’s medical condition, beyond saying there were complications, following a routine procedure. 

Mr Austin is “recovering well and in good spirits” while remaining in hospital, Pat Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman said on Sunday night, adding that no date had been set for his release from Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre.

“Since resuming his duties on Friday evening, the Secretary has received operational updates and has provided necessary guidance to his team,” Mr Ryder said. 

“He has full access to required secure communications capabilities and continues to monitor DoD’s day-to-day operations worldwide.

“The Secretary spoke to President Biden yesterday. He has also been in contact with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and his senior staff.”

Despite being in Puerto Rico, Ms Hicks had maintained full communication with the Pentagon, a spokesman for the defence department said as it tried to contain the political fallout. 

It added that Mr Austin had spoken to the president on Saturday for the first time after being admitted to hospital.

US officials speaking on condition of anonymity said Mr Biden retained full confidence in his defence chief.

Mr Austin takes ‘full responsibility’ 

An embarrassed Mr Austin said he took full responsibility for what had happened.

“I also understand the media concerns about transparency, and I recognise I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better,” he said.

“But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”