'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

FCC Chair Brendan Carr says CBS acted within the law and the uproar over Colbert’s Talarico segment was amplified for political gain
36 minutes ago
Barack Obama’s strategist David Axelrod recalled Donald Trump boasting about polls in 2011, saying few believed he would become president
46 minutes ago
Beshear says how ICE enforces laws matters, urging humane practices and respect for human dignity even as border security continues
1 hour ago
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez denied presidential ambitions, saying speculation overshadowed the substance of her Munich remarks
1 hour ago
Lara Trump recalled that despite the atmosphere of 'despair' after the 2020 election, Trump shifted the mood during their first dinner in Palm Beach
3 hours ago
Clinton links Trump’s 2020 defeat to lasting shifts in his behavior and mindset, citing changes in language, gestures, and political actions
3 hours ago
Ken Paxton rejected John Cornyn’s warnings, arguing he is better positioned to energize 'America First' voters and win in November
3 hours ago
Karoline Leavitt defended Trump during a tense briefing, promising examples to back his claim of being falsely labeled racist
4 hours ago
Donald Trump joked with Ben Carson that even the greatest speech fails after a fall, citing his predecessor and drawing laughter
4 hours ago
Hillary Clinton fumed Donald Trump 'betrayed the West' seeking 'unaccountable power' by 'modeling himself' after Vladimir Putin at Germany forum
4 hours ago