Austin Remains in Hospital, Expected to Attend NATO Meeting Virtually

The Pentagon could not confirm whether Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks is now sixth in line in the presidential succession.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin walks down the steps of the Pentagon to greet Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Dec. 4, 2023, in Arlington, Va. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin remains in the hospital following an emergency procedure related to his bladder, the Pentagon has said.

Mr. Austin is expected to virtually attend a NATO defense ministerial and meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group later in the week, though it isn’t yet clear whether he will do so from home or from the hospital, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.