Pentagon investigation raises new concerns about Austin hospitalization in 2024

WASHINGTON – An investigation published on January 15 into the affair of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin secret hospitalization 2024 discovered that his desire for privacy was behind government reporting failures and medications that could have affected his cognitive functions while he was still in charge.

“Secretary Austin received several different medications on the morning of January 2 that may affect cognitive functions,” the Pentagon’s independent inspector general wrote.

Mr. Austin’s powers were not transferred to his deputy, Ms. Kathleen Hicks, until 2:22 p.m., the report said.

The Pentagon had previously denied that he was taking medications that could have affected his judgment before the transfer of authority.

Spokesman Gen. Patrick Ryder said Jan. 9, “I have no indication (of) anything that would affect his decision-making.” REUTERS

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