‘Sorry doesn’t cut it’: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faces backlash as he apologizes for keeping hospital stay secret

WASHINGTON, DC: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized for his failure to notify the Biden administration about his hospitalization in early January, followed by complications in a prostate cancer surgery, reported The Hill.

In his first appearance in the Pentagon press briefing room on Thursday, February 1, for the first time since the secret hospitalization, the 70-year-old Austin acknowledged he "did not handle" the situation "right."

He underwent prostatectomy on December 22, 2023, a procedure which was kept from President Joe Biden and his colleagues for days, a move slammed by Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, who demanded Austin's immediate removal for "dereliction of duty".

The Pentagon Chief, who carried out his work from home since his discharge from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on January 15, returned to the defense headquarters on January 29.

Lloyd Austin takes full responsibility

Answering the media's questions about the scandal, Austin said, "I want to be crystal clear: We did not handle this right. I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis."

"I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people."

The Pentagon Chief, sharing his grief about the cancer diagnosis, added, "The news shook me, and I know that it shakes so many others, especially in the Black community. It was a gut punch."

Austin disclosed that his initial reaction was to keep the matter private, as he preferred not to burden others with his problems.

"But I've learned from this experience taking this kind of job means losing some of the privacy that most of us expect," he continued. "The American people have a right to know if their leaders are facing health challenges that might affect their ability to perform their duties, even temporarily."

The unfortunate move by the Defense Secretary, whose authority over the US military is second only to that of POTUS, led to criticisms against Biden from Republican lawmakers like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who labeled him as an "ineffective leader".

Despite the secret hospitalization scandal, Biden assured confidence in Austin's ability. However, he should appear before a House committee on February 14 to testify publicly about his inability to reveal the secret hospitalization.

Internet reacts to Lloyd Austin's apology

Austin faced online backlash for his apology as social media users deemed the Pentagon Chief's mistake was not easily forgivable. Instead, many suggested either he should be fired or should voluntarily resign.

One user wrote, "Sorry doesn’t cut it. This clown doesn’t understand the gravity of his unprofessionalism."

Another user stated, "He was out for a month. "Sorry" is necessary but not sufficient."

"One would hope he would have the sense enough to step down, clearly he doesn't. He should be fired," a third user added.

A fourth response read, "Zero accountability ever. So we can expect the bullshit to continue."

"Go cry somewhere else and have some dignity and resign!!! Cry baby!!" one user said.

A user wrote, "So resign."

Another remark read, "Then QUIT!" 

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.