'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

Speaking at a press conference about environmental protection efforts, the wife of Gov. Gavin Newsom opened with an on-message introduction before abruptly bringing up the tragedy
4 hours ago
Harris and Newsom lead early 2028 race as AOC gains ground, while most Democrats signal support for socialist economic policies
4 hours ago
Kennedy raised concerns over a possible funding standoff in Congress, warning it could disrupt government operations before elections
6 hours ago
After Democrats' victory in Virginia, Hakeem Jeffries warned Florida Republicans against going down the road of a 'DeSantis dummymander'
6 hours ago
A report said James Comer told members some backed a Ghislaine Maxwell pardon, while Maxwell invoked the Fifth during testimony before Congress
7 hours ago
Democrats, including Jay Jones and Adam Parkhomenko, slammed the ruling and vowed to appeal
8 hours ago
'Republicans have fought for partisan gerrymanders across the United States of America, and these are the rules that they have set,' AOC claimed
8 hours ago
Eric Trump claimed Democrats targeted Donald Trump with indictments and social media bans to silence him and win
8 hours ago
Speaking on when the war could come to an end, Donald Trump said that there was 'no time frame' or 'pressure' as he is trying to 'get a good deal'
9 hours ago
Karoline Leavitt said Iran’s military was largely destroyed, but a CBS News report said about half its missiles still remained
9 hours ago