Deputy learned of Defense Secretary's hospitalization two days after taking over his duties
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks was not immediately informed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized.
After being admitted to the hospital last week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin transferred responsibility to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks on Tuesday. But Hicks, who was on vacation in Puerto Rico at the time, was not informed about his hospitalization until Thursday, a senior defense official told NBC News.
Austin transferred “certain operational responsibilities that require constant secure communications capabilities” to Hicks on Tuesday afternoon, said the Pentagon press secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.
“This transfer occurs from time to time and is not tied chiefly to health-related matters,” he said. “The Deputy Secretary keeps a complete suite of communications and capable staff with her at all times, regardless of geographic location.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on Jan. 1.Volodymyr Tarasov / Future Publishing via Getty ImagesHicks was informed on Thursday of Austin’s hospitalization that began on Jan. 1, a senior defense official said, adding that Hicks immediately engaged staff on the drafting of a public statement and congressional outreach.
She had begun making contingency plans to return to Washington from her vacation on Friday but was told the defense secretary was preparing to resume full communications capability and the associated operational responsibilities, which informed her decision to stay on vacation, the senior defense official said. Hicks remained in place to ensure the best communications posture in the interim, that official said.
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