Pentagon Watchdog to Investigate Austin’s Hospitalization

An inquiry will ‘examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and actions’ related to the Secretary of Defense’s secret hospital stay.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a press conference at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Oct. 12, 2023. Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP via Getty Images

The Pentagon is opening an investigation following the failure of its top civilian leader to notify President Joe Biden about changes in the chain of command during an emergency medical procedure.

The investigation into Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s lack of communication with the White House will begin this month, according to a memo published by the office of the Pentagon inspector general.