Lloyd Austin to transfer powers to deputy while undergoing medical procedure

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will temporarily transfer his power to his deputy on Friday evening while he undergoes a medical procedure at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington D.C., the Pentagon announced.

Austin has been dealing with bladder issues since he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December. He was hospitalized for two weeks after the diagnosis, which his doctors claim has a good prognosis, but was taken back to Walter Reed in February for another bladder issue.

Austin has faced backlash in the past for not alerting the White House and Congress on his medical issues, but the Pentagon said he has informed both of them this time, according to the Associated Press.

The procedure is elective, minimally invasive, and “is not related to his cancer diagnosis and has had no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis,” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

The Defense secretary will transfer his powers of authority to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks while he is undergoing the medical procedure. Details on the procedure have not been released and it is not clear how long it will take.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.