US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday after experiencing symptoms of an "emergent bladder issue," according to the Pentagon. The Defense Department released a statement saying that Austin had transferred his duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and that the White House had been notified. The statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder explained that Austin was transported to the hospital at approximately 2:20 pm. This comes after Austin faced criticism for not disclosing his prostate cancer diagnosis and recent hospitalization to White House and Pentagon officials, including President Biden.

Austin, who is 70 years old, had tried to conceal his admittance to Walter Reed on January 1st, following complications from a December surgery to treat his prostate cancer. While Austin is known for being private, critics argue that he should have been more transparent about his health issues when taking on such a high-profile position. As a result, Austin has agreed to testify on Capitol Hill later this month regarding his decision to shield his initial hospitalization. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers launched a formal congressional investigation into Austin's hospitalization in January, demanding a detailed account of his stay and how he communicated his absence to officials.

Despite being transported to the hospital, Austin will continue to carry out his duties for now, with Hicks prepared to assume his responsibilities if necessary. According to Ryder, Austin will still have access to the necessary communication systems at Walter Reed. The White House, Congress, Hicks, and Gen. Charles Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have all been notified of Austin's condition.

Austin had previously undergone a minimally invasive procedure for his prostate cancer in December. However, he later revealed that he was hospitalized for several days due to a bladder infection and abdominal problems resulting from the procedure. Earlier this month, Austin publicly apologized for the delay in informing the White House of his hospitalization and stated that new procedures had been implemented at the Pentagon to ensure timely notification in the future. He acknowledged that taking on a high-profile job meant sacrificing some privacy and that the American people have a right to know if their leaders are facing health challenges that may affect their ability to perform their duties.

The news of Austin's hospitalization and his previous lack of disclosure about his health issues has prompted changes in federal guidelines and sparked internal reviews into notification procedures at the Pentagon. The situation will likely be further examined when Austin testifies on Capitol Hill later this month.