Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Biden not considering firing Austin for illness concealment: WH

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Jan 2024 18:40
  • 2 Shares
2 Min Read

Austin has kept the President and the public in the dark about his illness on New Year's Day for many days until admitting to "full responsibility" in recent days.

  • x
  • Biden not considering firing Pentagon chief Austin
    US President Joe Biden speaks during a rally at Blue Bell Pennsylvania on January 5, 2024. (AP)

US President Joe Biden is not considering terminating Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin from his position, a White House source told Reuters Monday.

Austin kept the President and the public in the dark about his illness on New Year's Day for many days until admitting to "full responsibility" for the cover-up on Saturday.

Republicans in Congress responded angrily to revelations that the Pentagon waited several days to notify top officials about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's illness. Some Republican senators have already demanded that Austin testify or be ousted due to what one has described as a "serious breakdown" in communication.

Senior Defense Department and White House officials are still unaware of the procedure's specifics, and there has also been no explanation for the decision to keep information about Austin's medical emergency from the public, including the President.

Related News

Pro-'Israel' Democrats breaking with Netanyahu amid Gaza war

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

Austin issued a statement on Saturday in response to a POLITICO article about the three-day gap between his hospitalization and the White House knowing about it. 

A former DOD official called the concealment a "next-level problem", adding that "someone made the decision not to disclose. That person will likely be gone shortly.”

Austin issues statement: “I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better. But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”

— luis martinez (@LMartinezABC) January 6, 2024

Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on the evening of January 1 "for complications following a recent elective medical procedure," Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said in a statement, without providing details on the complications or the duration of the hospital stay.

For several days, both Congress members and leaders within the Pentagon were unaware that Austin had been hospitalized since Monday, the Associated Press reported, citing US officials. This lack of knowledge prompted queries about the Pentagon chief's condition and the confidentiality surrounding it.

According to several US officials, several high-ranking Pentagon officials reportedly only became aware of Austin's hospitalization on Friday. The officials mentioned that US President Joe Biden and key White House personnel were briefed earlier, though the exact timing wasn't revealed.

  • white house
  • Lloyd Austin
  • US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
  • Pentagon
  • United States

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS