U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held his first public meeting on Tuesday, January 23 since he secretly went for hospital treatment for prostate cancer complications. He attended a Ukraine defense discussion virtually from home. His unreported hospitalization last month drew criticism.Austin suffering from prostate cancerAustin (70) was admitted on December 22nd to Walter Reed Medical Center to address prostate cancer. He returned on January 1st due to additional issues including a urinary tract infection.Though hospitalized into early January, his treatment wasnt disclosed until the 9th. Austins hospitalization took the White House by surprise and drew major criticisms from lawmakers.Virtual meeting focuses on Ukraine aidSitting before barren white walls displaying small U.S. and Ukrainian flags. Austin appeared on the live-streamed gathering for a few minutes without addressing his health and instead requested more air defense systems for Ukraine.While Austin has routinely taken reporter questions after similar meetings, he wont participate in Tuesdays planned press conference as he continues recovering strength at home.Legislators criticize delayed transparencyAustin faced rebukes from legislators for keeping President Biden unaware of his condition for nearly a month and failing to promptly inform the public once learning of cancer complications, violating practices around transparency. Investigations into the communication breakdown have been launched.As Austin lays low convalescing and weathering political fallout for now, attention centers on whether the respected ex-general can rebuild trust after the hospitalization controversy raised accountability concerns.
