Lloyd Austin Health Update: US Defense Secretary 'May Need Some Additional Care'

The White House has given an update on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's health as he battles the severe illness of prostate cancer, telling reporters that doctors are saying that he may need additional care.

"We'll see, you know when he can be released, but obviously they still feel like he may need some additional care. ... Part of that is just physical therapy," White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said in an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation" last Sunday."

However, even though the Secretary of Defense is battling his illness, Kirby stated that "there is routine regular communication" between Austin and President Joe Biden, with the two remaining "actively involved and engaged" from the hospital.

On Sunday, Lloyd Austin remained hospitalized as he gets his prostate cancer treatment, with Kirby admitting that they still do not have a specific date for when he will be released from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.

Reuters reported that Austin was initially admitted to the hospital to treat his cancer on December 22. He then returned to the hospital a few days later, on New Year's Day, after suffering from complications including a urinary tract infection and has remained there ever since.

Despite being hospitalized, reports have stated that Lloyd Austin remains active in coordinating the US airstrikes being done in Yemen against the Houthi rebels, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby previously telling reporters last Friday that Austin's role in the US airstrikes was "seamless."

Joe Biden Says Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Not Telling Him About Cancer Was 'Lapse of Judgement'

When he was in Allentown, Pennsylvania, President Joe Biden was asked by reporters if Austin's delay in informing him about his treatment for prostate cancer showed a lapse in judgment. The president answered, "Yes," and when asked if he still has confidence in the ill defense secretary, he answered, "I do."

A senior Biden administration official who has been in contact with the defense secretary spoke with CNN and confirmed that Lloyd Austin is "very much in command of all issues," adding that he has been "coordinating the strikes while facing sharp questions about the initial lack of transparency related to his health."

As for what is happening with Austin's health right now, Department of Defense officials stated that he has access to everything he needs to fulfill his duties and was even monitoring the strikes against the Houthi targets from the hospital "with a full suite of secure communications."

Why Are Secretary Lloyd Austin's Health and Cancer Treatment Raising So Many Eyebrows?

Austin's position as defense secretary means he sits directly below the president at the top of the chain of command of the US military, according to Sky News. He is required to always be available at a moment's notice to respond to any manner of a national security crisis, especially with the US launching airstrikes in Yemen.

His hospitalization came as two consecutive nights of airstrikes against Houthi-linked targets were happening, with many of the top Pentagon Brass, as well as President Biden himself, only learning about it on the evening of January 4.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Impact Of Lloyd Austin's Lack Of Transparency | The View