Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, issued a public apology on Thursday for keeping the public and President Joe Biden in the dark about his prostate cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospital stay. “This was not handled properly by us. I also didn’t manage this properly. I ought to have disclosed my cancer diagnosis to the president. I accept full responsibility for not telling my team and the American public. During a meeting at the Pentagon, Austin expressed his regret to both the American people and his comrades. It took the Pentagon three days to notify the White House that Austin was admitted to the hospital due to difficulties following his prostate cancer surgery. Austin declared, “I’ve apologized directly to President Biden.” “And I’ve told him that I sincerely apologize for not informing him right away that I had a serious diagnosis and was receiving treatment.” After being moved to the critical care unit for a few days, Austin stated Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks took up his responsibilities on January 2. However, Hicks was not made aware of Austin’s hospitalization until January 4. Austin was discharged from the hospital ten days after regaining control on January 5. Amidst tensions in the Middle East and the conflict in Ukraine, the episode revealed possible weaknesses in the U.S. chain of command at the Pentagon, raising concerns globally. While Austin was in the hospital, the United States conducted an attack in Iraq that resulted in the death of a militia leader whom the Pentagon accused of attacking American soldiers. Austin stated on Thursday that the strike was prearranged and that he had already advised the president to carry it out. Austin stated on Thursday that there were never any power vacuums at the Defense Department, even though he was admitted to critical care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He said that more information regarding the incident and what Hicks knew about his hospital stay will be revealed by an ongoing Pentagon internal probe. Austin stated, “We’re committed to sharing as much as possible as soon as possible.” In January, Biden stated that he trusted the Defense Secretary but believed it was a mistake for Austin to keep his diagnosis and hospital stay a secret.