Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced criticism from House Republicans on Thursday for what they termed an “embarrassment” stemming from his delayed notification about his January hospitalization, which caught the White House and the nation off guard.
Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., spearheaded the reproach during a contentious House Armed Services Committee hearing, directing pointed questions at Austin regarding the communication breakdown.
“Who will be held accountable for this embarrassment?” Banks queried, setting the tone for the exchange. “Are you surprised the president didn’t call for your resignation? I’m surprised.”
Republicans seized on the revelation that Austin spent three days in the hospital before President Joe Biden and White House officials were made aware, suggesting it underscored Austin’s purported lack of sway over national security matters.
“Either the president is that aloof or you are irrelevant,” Banks asserted. “Which is it?”
“Our adversaries should fear us and what you have done embarrasses us,” he added.