'Hope they paid her well’: Outrage as Lloyd Austin’s chief of staff steps down after being blamed for his hospitalization secrecy

Kelly Magsamen was one of the very few people who knew about Lloyd Austin’s issues stemming from a prostatectomy that resulted in his admission
UPDATED JUN 6, 2024
Lloyd Austin’s chief of staff Kelly Magsamen is leaving her post (X/ @SecDef and defense.gov)
Lloyd Austin’s chief of staff Kelly Magsamen is leaving her post (X/ @SecDef and defense.gov)

WASHINGTON, DC: Lloyd Austin’s chief of staff, who reportedly faced the music after keeping his hospitalization during the New Year's hidden from the White House, is now renouncing her position in June.

Kelly Magsamen was one of the very few people who knew about Austin’s issues stemming from a then-recent prostatectomy that resulted in his admission to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

But she failed to inform about it to the White House or senior Pentagon staff at the time, as reported by NBC News.

Lloyd Austin applauds Kelly Magsamen

Later, she was held responsible but eventually Defense Department spokesman Air Force Brig Gen Pat Ryder clarified that Magsamen could not pass on the information because she was also sick at the time, The New York Post reported.

Though it’s not clear yet why is she stepping down, Austin has expressed admiration for her.

In a statement, he said, “From day one of this administration, Kelly’s leadership, counsel, and selfless service made our nation safer, made the lives of our people better and more rewarding, and rendered the heavy burden of this office of mine a good bit lighter.”

He continued, “At every stage, she provided a steady hand guiding our staff and the Department. I am — and will remain — in her debt,” before adding, “If there is a better example of exemplary public service at a challenging time, I do not know of it.”

Netizens believe Kelly Magsamen’s resignation is not fair

Meanwhile, people online have shown their disapproval of Magsamen’s resignation as an X user tweeted, “Ahh she took it for the team..”



 

The second user wrote, “Hope they paid her well to take the bullet.”



 

The third user said, “Why Austin not RESIGNING, instead they’re firing the innocent lady. Insane.”



 

“Why do democrats fail at taking responsibility for themselves? Hope she at least got paid for that…” the fourth user stated.



 

“She needs to be fired with no Government benefits OR was she a scapegoat OR is she getting a promotion? You know F*ck up Move Up, isn't that the DemoncRat motto?” the fifth one added.



 

A tweet read, "Surprise, surprise. Guess someone's gotta take the fall for Austin's lack of transparency. Wonder what other secrets are hiding behind those Pentagon doors."



 

An individual on Facebook wrote, “He should step down with her.”

“The liberals always find a Scapegoat. I'm surprised that they haven't found something to blame Trump for,” another one noted.

The third one added, “ALWAYS someone else’s fault according to the person who is responsible for their actions.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Sen Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) questioned training standards, citing systemic flaws and urging Congress to review officer guidance and accountability
7 minutes ago
Karoline Leavitt said Walz blocked local and state law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, claiming the governor did not believe in law and order
18 hours ago
Donald Trump argued that halting construction would harm national interests, dismissing critics as obstructionists trying to block progress
18 hours ago
Greene slammed the 'Political Industrial Complex', saying taxpayer dollars fueled opposing immigration agendas and kept Americans divided
19 hours ago
DHS secretary says leaders ‘abandoned’ city, claims violence followed exposure of state fraud
20 hours ago
Alex Pretti's family rejected DHS claims, accusing officials of 'sickening lies' and insisting that he was unarmed while trying to shield a woman
22 hours ago
In a letter to Walz, Bondi accused state leaders of failing to ‘maintain order’
23 hours ago
Trump has said the Golden Dome will be able to intercept missiles 'even if they are launched from other sides of the world and even if they are launched from space' 
1 day ago
Chuck Schumer called the shooting 'appalling and unacceptable' and criticized Republicans for failing to rein in ICE
1 day ago
Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez urged Senate Democrats to oppose ICE funding after the fatal Minneapolis shooting, linking the move to broader criticism of federal immigration tactics
1 day ago