Attorney General Merrick Garland will temporarily delegate his authority to the deputy attorney general on Saturday while he receives a back surgery, The Justice Department said Monday.
The surgery will last roughly 90 minutes and be “minimally invasive” in nature, the Associated Press reported, citing the department’s Director of Public Affairs Xochitl Hinojosa.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco will head the DOJ during his absence, though Garland will likely be discharged the same day and plans to resume his duties next week.
The White House last week issued guidance to Cabinet officials requiring them to notify the White House ahead of any expected delegations of their authority and to confirm such an event upon its actual occurrence.
The guidance followed controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s unannounced hospitalization earlier this month. Austin did not notify the White House nor the public for days, a revelation that prompted some calls for his resignation.