Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday, in his first public remarks following his cancer diagnosis and treatment, apologized for his lack of transparency and communication regarding the matter
“I admit that was a mistake,” Austin said about not informing the president about his hospitalization last month until days later.
“I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people,” Austin said at his first press conference since being released from the hospital, per NBC News.
Even though Austin was hospitalized Jan. 1, he did not inform Biden of his status for several days. He remained in the hospital for about two weeks following complications from prostate cancer surgery.