Lloyd Austin hospitalized for a bladder issue; duties transferred to deputy defense secretary

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was admitted to a critical care unit Sunday evening after being hospitalized earlier for a bladder issue, top doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was admitted to a critical care unit Sunday evening after being hospitalized earlier for a bladder issue, top doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said.

The change in care was prompted after he underwent tests and evaluations for the "emergent bladder issue" that prompted his hospitalization Sunday afternoon, they said in a statement.

He transferred his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks at about 4:55 p.m. Sunday, and the White House, Joint Chiefs and Congress have been notified, Pentagon Press Sec Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

Austin’s security detail took him to Walter Reed in Washington, where he retains the “unclassified and classified communications systems necessary to perform his duties,” Ryder said.

The White House and Congress have been notified of his condition, along with Hicks and Gen. Charles Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lloyd-austin-hospitalized-bladder-issue-rcna138299

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