Defense Secretary Austin hospitalized due to complications after minor procedure
By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized since Monday, due to complications following a minor elective medical procedure. That’s from Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary. It was the department’s first acknowledgement that Austin had been admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Ryder says it’s not clear when Austin will be released. He says the secretary is recovering well and is expecting to resume his full duties Friday. Ryder says the hospitalization was not made public until now due to privacy and medical issues.