On Saturday, the Pentagon released updated information on the state of health of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Pentagon gives update on Austin hospitalisation
Secretary Austin remains hospitalised at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is in good condition, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.
The Pentagon added that Austin is in contact with his senior staff, has full access to required secure communications capabilities, and continues monitoring DOD's day-to-day missions worldwide.
Ryder noted that the Pentagon have a specific date for Secretary Austin's release from the hospital at this time but will continue to provide daily updates until then.
What is known about Austin's hospitalisation
Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington on the first day of the year due to complications from a previous hospital procedure to fight prostate cancer in December. He kept it a secret from the White House, which caused a political scandal.
Republican Senate Armed Services Committee members sent a letter to Austin on Wednesday demanding the Pentagon provide a detailed timeline of the defence secretary's secretary's hospitalisation.
We are deeply troubled by the apparent breakdown in communications between your office and the rest of the Department of Defense, the White House, and Congress over the past two weeks, they wrote.
Biden said on Friday that Austin made a mistake by not telling him about his hospitalisation. However, he also said he still trusts his defence secretary and has no plans to dismiss him.
