Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday night after experiencing complications from a recent elective medical procedure, the Pentagon announced on Friday. The news came as a surprise to many, as the department had not previously made Austin's hospitalization public.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's spokesman, assured the public that Austin is recovering well and is expected to resume his full duties today. However, Ryder did not provide a specific timeline for when the defense secretary will be discharged from the hospital.

Ryder explained that the decision to keep Austin's hospitalization under wraps was based on various factors, including medical and personal privacy concerns. He acknowledged that the situation had been evolving and emphasized the need to consider multiple elements before disclosing such information to the media.

The Pentagon Press Association, however, criticized the department's handling of the situation. In a letter addressed to Ryder and Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Chris Meagher, the association expressed outrage over the delayed public notification. They argued that the Pentagon's actions fell short of the disclosure standards typically followed by other federal departments when senior officials undergo medical procedures or experience temporary incapacitation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks was prepared to assume the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary in Austin's absence, according to Ryder. This ensured that the department's operations continued smoothly during the defense secretary's hospitalization.

Austin, a retired four-star Army general, has an extensive military background, having served for 41 years before retiring in 2016. His hospitalization has raised concerns and sparked discussions about the transparency and disclosure practices within the Department of Defense.