Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Hospitalization Deepens Mystery of His Absence

WASHINGTON—The Pentagon’s No. 2 official didn’t learn that her boss was hospitalized Jan. 1 until four days after she had assumed some of his duties, U.S. military officials said Sunday, deepening the mystery of why Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized and why he hid his medical situation from senior defense officials and even President Biden until days after he was admitted. 

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathy Hicks, who was on scheduled leave in Puerto Rico, had already assumed some of Austin’s duties that week, which happens from time to time, Pentagon officials said. Hicks had secure communications at her location while on vacation, as is routine.