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White House revises notification rules after fallout from defense secretary’s hospitalization

January 27, 2024 | | Print Article

Following a tsunami of scrutiny, the Biden administration has revised its rules about notifying the White House if a Cabinet secretary can’t keep up with the demands of their duties.

In the incident dubbed “Prostategate,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin shocked the nation when he failed to tell President Biden or anyone in Congress that he was in the ICU following complications from what was initially reported as an “elective medical procedure.” It was later revealed that Austin was battling prostate cancer — a fact that he hid from the commander-in-chief.

Austin simply disappeared, at a time when the U.S. military was fending off attacks from Iran-backed terrorists in the Middle East.

“When Austin was hospitalized on Jan. 1, some of his duties were transferred to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks the following day, though she was not notified about the secretary’s hospitalization until Jan. 4,” NBC News reports. “The delay in Austin notifying the White House prompted widespread scrutiny. The defense secretary said he took full responsibility for the lack of disclosure.”

On Friday, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients issued a memo, obtained by NBC News, detailing the proper process federal agencies must now follow “in the event of a delegation of authority.”

“While there are variations in your submitted protocols due to different authorizing statutes, regulations, and executive orders, through this process we are assured that all agencies have a set of standard protocols they must follow in the event of a delegation of authority,” Zients wrote.

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Previously, the White House had requested that agencies submit their notification plans should a Cabinet secretary need to delegate their authority elsewhere.

If a Cabinet member is “undergoing hospitalization or a medical procedure requiring general anesthesia,” the agency must now notify the White House chief of staff, document the delegation in writing, and ensure that agencies delegate authority, according to Zeints’ memo.

“The memo aimed to make sure all agencies are on the same page and that there is no room for interpretation, according to an administration official,” NBC News explains.

In a Jan. 6 statement, Austin took responsibility for failing to disclose his condition and said he understands “the media concerns about transparency and I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed.”

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The good news to emerge from this string of bad decisions is that Austin is “expected to make a full recovery,” according to a statement released on Friday by doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

“He continues to recover well and is expected to make a full recovery. Secretary Austin’s prostate cancer was treated early and effectively, and his prognosis is excellent,” Doctors John Maddox and Gregory Chesnut said. “Beyond planned physical therapy and regular post-prostatectomy follow up appointments, he has no planned further treatment for his cancer.”

“Austin is expected to return to the Pentagon on Monday, according to defense officials,” NBC News reports. “It will be his first time back in the building since his Jan. 1 hospitalization.”

 

Melissa Fine
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