White House Orders Cabinet Heads to Disclose When They Can’t Perform Duties After Secret Hospitalization

The military has still not specified what procedure Mr. Austin underwent.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the East Room of the White House in Washington on June 8, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

The White House on Jan. 9 ordered cabinet members to disclose to the White House when they cannot perform their duties, after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin kept his condition secret for days from top officials in President Joe Biden’s administration.

Cabinet heads must inform the White House chief of staff if they have to delegate authority, or might have to delegate authority, White House chief of staff Jeffrey Zients said in a memorandum obtained by The Epoch Times.