By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
UNITED STATES Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized and has not been able to perform his duties since New Year’s Day amid tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement on Friday evening, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, said Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday night for complications following a recent elective medical procedure.
Ryder further stated that Austin was expected to resume his duties Friday, adding that Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, who was on leave, has picked up his duties.
“At all times, the Deputy Secretary of Defense was prepared to act for and exercise the powers of the Secretary, if required,” Ryder said.
Details about what ailed him, as of when filing this report, remained unavailable; he remained hospitalized and was unclear when he would be discharged.
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