‘WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE,’ ‘STRAINS CREDULITY,’ MINDBOGGLING’: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin may not be in danger of being fired for misleading his boss about his cancer diagnosis, but he’s in deep trouble with Republican members of Congress who say he not only broke faith with the public, he broke the law.
In an appearance on Fox yesterday, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the failure to immediately inform Congress and the White House of Austin’s incapacitation was a violation of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
“I noticed in the press reports yesterday someone within the hierarchy in the Pentagon said this happens every so often, where the power is transferred from the secretary to the deputy secretary. If that happens, the statute kicks in, and not only do you have to tell the president and people up and down the chain, but there is a specific statute that says you have to tell the Congress – Republican and Democratic leaders of both Houses,” Wicker said. “The statute is not a suggestion. This is the law of the land passed by the Congress and signed by the president.”
“Until today, they had hidden why the secretary was hospitalized, and now, they continue to dodge questions as to how the notification processes broke down across the chain of command, including to the president,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI). “This is wholly unacceptable, and the White House’s memo reinforcing the obvious, that the president should be notified when members of the Cabinet cannot perform their duties, is not enough.”
LLOYD AUSTIN’S MYSTERIOUS ELECTIVE PROCEDURE: TREATMENT FOR PROSTATE CANCER
AUSTIN, HICKS, MAGSAMEN IN THE CROSSHAIRS: House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) has launched a formal inquiry into the cover-up after the Pentagon revealed for the first time yesterday that Austin received a diagnosis of prostate cancer in early December, had a prostatectomy to remove all or part of his prostate gland the Friday before Christmas, and apparently planned to keep the whole thing secret.
The White House confirmed Austin did not reveal the true extent of his health crisis to President Joe Biden until yesterday. Rogers fired off letters yesterday to Austin, his deputy Kathleen Hicks, and his chief of staff Kelly Magsamen.
To Austin, Rogers wrote: “Everything from on-going counterterrorism operations to nuclear command and control relies on a clear understanding of the Secretary’s decision-making capacity. The department is a robust institution, and it is designed to function under attack by our enemies, but it is not designed for a secretary who conceals being incapacitated.”
To Hicks, he wrote: “It is vitally important for the president, high-level administration officials, department leadership, and Congress to be fully and properly informed of a department head’s ability to perform his appointed job and responsibility of leading the nation’s capability to defend itself. it is mindboggling that the commander in chief, was not aware of the location or operational competence of the secretary of defense.”
To Magsamen, he wrote: “It appears you, as the secretary’s chief of staff, were not made aware until January 2, 2024, of the secretary’s hospitalization and incapacitation, the day after he was reportedly ‘rushed by ambulance to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.’ According to press reports, you ‘said nothing to White House officials, awaiting updates on the secretary’s medical condition,’ and failed to ‘notify the White House until two days later,’ including the national security adviser to the president of the United States.”
REP. MIKE ROGERS OPENS INQUIRY INTO LLOYD AUSTIN’S FAILURE TO DISCLOSE HOSPITALIZATION
THE TRUTH COMES OUT: The mystery of exactly what transpired with Austin’s initial elective surgery and subsequent admission to intensive care after serious complications was finally cleared up with a detailed statement from his doctors, John Maddox and Gregory Chesnut, at Walter Reed released yesterday afternoon.
On Dec. 22, Austin “underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer. He was under general anesthesia during this procedure. Secretary Austin recovered uneventfully from his surgery and returned home the next morning,” the statement said. Then, on New Year’s Day, Austin suffered painful complications, including nausea with severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain.
“Initial evaluation revealed a urinary tract infection. On January 2, the decision was made to transfer him to the ICU for close monitoring and a higher level of care. Further evaluation revealed abdominal fluid collections impairing the function of his small intestines. This resulted in the back up of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach. The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement. He has progressed steadily throughout his stay. His infection has cleared. He continues to make progress and we anticipate a full recovery although this can be a slow process. During this stay, Secretary Austin never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia.”
At a Pentagon briefing yesterday, spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Austin “has taken responsibility for the issues with transparency,” and the department is taking immediate steps to improve its notification procedures, including a 30-day review of the department’s notification process.
“We’re committed to making sure that we don’t do this again and that we do a better job next time, Ryder said.
LLOYD AUSTIN HOSPITALIZATION PROMPTS WHITE HOUSE TO REVIEW CABINET PROTOCOLS
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HAPPENING TODAY: Senate Republicans are scheduled to receive a briefing on the border today as a bipartisan working group attempts to reach a deal to amend the country’s immigration laws.
The meeting has been organized by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) at the request of 15 GOP senators who have expressed skepticism about combining border measures with assistance bills for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel.
Meanwhile, seeing the handwriting on the wall, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is calling for a short-term funding extension given the pessimism about reaching a budget deal by next week’s Jan. 19 deadline.
The statement puts McConnell, the Senate’s top Republican, in conflict with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who swore off short-term funding measures, known as continuing resolutions, in November, the Washington Examiner’s David Sivak reported.
“Johnson may have to walk back those comments if he wants to avoid a shutdown,” Sivak wrote. “The speaker announced a deal on top-line spending with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) over the weekend, but the two chambers have a ways to go in negotiating the 12 appropriations bills that make up that figure.”
“They have a top-line agreement, Schumer and the speaker. In the meantime, we need to prevent a government shutdown,” McConnell told reporters. “The obvious question is how long does the CR need to be? That will be up to the majority leader and the speaker, to determine the length of the CR.”
SCHUMER URGES PATIENCE AS SENATE BORDER TALKS STALL
ALSO TODAY: Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks presides over the U.S. Space Command change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting takes over for retiring Army Gen. James Dickinson at 12 p.m. EST. Livestream at https://www.defense.gov/News/Live-Events.
HAPPENING TONIGHT: Former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) face off in a Republican primary debate at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. The debate begins at 9 p.m. Eastern and airs on CNN.
CHINA: NO ‘CONCESSION OR COMPROMISE ON TAIWAN’: The Pentagon announced a small step in the slight thaw in the frosty relations between Washington and Beijing when defense deputies from the U.S. and China sat down for a face-to-face meeting at the Pentagon Tuesday.
The meeting, the first since military-to-military communication between the two countries was reestablished last month, was led by Michael Chase, deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, who sat across the table from Maj. Gen. Song Yanchao, deputy director of China’s Central Military Commission Office for International Military Cooperation.
“Chase highlighted the importance of maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication in order to prevent competition from veering into conflict,” according to a readout from the Pentagon. “He also discussed the importance of operational safety across the Indo-Pacific region; reaffirmed that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows; and underscored that the U.S. commitment to our allies in the Indo-Pacific and globally remains ironclad.”
A readout from the Chinese Defense Ministry said the U.S. was admonished to “take seriously China’s concerns and do more things that contribute to the growth of the military-to-military relationship.”
“The Chinese side emphasized that China will not make any concession or compromise on the Taiwan question and demanded that the U.S. side abide by the one-China principle, honor relevant commitments, stop arming Taiwan, and not support Taiwan independence,” the readout said. “The Chinese side urged the US side to reduce military presence and provocation in the South China Sea and stop supporting provocative actions by certain country.”
The deputies also discussed a possible future meeting between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and newly appointed Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT HOLDS IN-PERSON MEETING WITH CHINESE MILITARY
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Rep. Mike Rogers opens inquiry into Lloyd Austin’s failure to disclose hospitalization
Washington Examiner: Biden not informed of Austin’s cancer diagnosis ‘until this morning’: White House
Washington Examiner: Lloyd Austin hospitalization prompts White House to review Cabinet protocols
Washington Examiner: Lloyd Austin’s mysterious elective procedure: Treatment for prostate cancer
Washington Examiner: Speaking out: Firebrand House Republican refuses to rule out removing Johnson
Washington Examiner: Marines reveal commandant had open-heart surgery as questions linger over Lloyd Austin
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Lloyd Austin lied to the White House not once but twice over his hospitalizations for prostate cancer
Washington Examiner: Barrasso convening GOP conference meeting as border deal threatens party unity
Washington Examiner: Chip Roy refuses to rule out ousting Speaker Mike Johnson
Washington Examiner: Schumer urges patience as Senate border talks stall
Washington Examiner: McConnell floats short-term funding extension as shutdown deadline nears
Washington Examiner: House Republicans keep door open for short-term spending deal as shutdown deadline looms
Washington Examiner: Mayorkas ‘no confidence’ vote blocked in Senate as House weighs impeachment
Washington Examiner: Democrats appeal to Republicans’ better judgment to stop Mayorkas impeachment
Washington Examiner: Blinken pushes for Israel to work with Palestinians, maintains no genocide
Washington Examiner: Bob Menendez proclaims his innocence during floor speech following latest charges
Washington Examiner: CNN debate: Haley and DeSantis square off before Iowa caucuses as Trump sets himself apart
Washington Examiner: Defense Department holds in-person meeting with Chinese military
Washington Examiner: Navy sailor gets 27-month prison sentence after sharing sensitive military information with China
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Israel can go after Hezbollah without US military participation
Bloomberg: US and Allies Met Secretly with Ukraine on Peace Plan
Washington Post: Blinken’s Trip Reveals Divisions Over Gaza
New York Times: Israel Says It Killed Another Hezbollah Commander After Back-And-Forth Attacks.
Wall Street Journal: Gaza Hostage Talks Inch Closer To Restart
Reuters: Oil Tankers Continue Red Sea Movements Despite Houthi Attacks
AP: Yemen’s Houthis Launch One Of Largest Red Sea Drone And Missile Attacks, Though No Damage Reported
AP: A US citizen has been arrested in Moscow on drug charges
The War Zone: Does the President Need the Defense Secretary to Launch Nukes?
New York Times: Chinese Flyover Sows Confusion In Taiwan, Days Before A Crucial Election
Inside Defense: DOD Policy Official Details Replicator Update And International AI Agreement Opportunities
Yonhap: Military Set To Resume Drills Halted Under 2018 Inter-Korean Accord Buffer Zones
Defense News: Navy Chief To Prioritize Getting More Ships Ready For Action
USNI News: Fleet Forces Working on New Navy War Plan, Learning Lessons from Red Sea Deployments
Defense One: CNO: U.S. Navy Is Having A 1930s Moment
Defense Scoop: Navy SWO Boss Frustrated By Shortage Of Directed Energy Weapons
Defense One: How Space Force Is Raising Its Cyber Defenses
National Defense Magazine: Air Force Overhauling Training to Take on Near-Peer Foes
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Lawmakers Push for More Nuclear Microreactors in INDOPACOM
Air Force Times: ‘Cautionary Tale’: How Boeing Won a US Air Force Program and Lost $7B
Breaking Defense: Calvelli Highlights Technical Chops, ‘Daily’ Interaction as Key to Space Acquisition Oversight
Inside Defense: MDA Required to Reinstate Deputy Director Position, Must Be Two-Star Uniformed Officer
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Eglin, Tyndall Hit by Storms But Suffer No Significant Damage
DefenseScoop: US, Allies Share Skills and Tactics at Annual NATO cyber exercise
Military.com: Defense Department to Begin Tracking Drug Overdoses, Providing Antidote Drug Naloxone
Air & Space Forces Magazine: USAF F-16 Fighters Fly with Bahrain in Training Exercise
THE CALENDAR:
WEDNESDAY | JANUARY 10
9 a.m. 2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, Virginia — Surface Navy Association 36th National Symposium, with Sen. Angus King (I-ME); Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro; and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan https://navysnaevents.org/national-symposium/
10 a.m. — Politico virtual discussion: “Turning Point for Taiwan: A Presidential Election Preview,” with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL); Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY); Yun Fan, legislator of the Taiwanese Democratic Progressive Party; and Jason Hsu, fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School https://2024politicotaiwan.splashthat.com/Invite
2 p.m. 226 Dirksen — Senate Judiciary Privacy, Technology, and the Law Subcommittee hearing: “Oversight of A.I.: The Future of Journalism,” with testimony from Jeff Jarvis, Tow Professor of Journalism Innovation, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism; Danielle Coffey, president and CEO, News Media Alliance; Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters; and Roger Lynch, CEO, Condé Nast https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings
2:30 p.m. 1030 15th St. NW — Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative and the Europe Center discussion with Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/a-conversation-with-the-minister-of-defense-of-bulgaria
4 p.m. — Common Good virtual discussion: “Palestine and Israel: Charting the Path to a Long Term Solution,” with Nathan Brown, Palestinian and Arab politics expert; and Richard Wolffe, author and journalist for the Guardian https://www.thecommongoodus.org/upcoming-events/palestine-and-israel
9 p.m. Des Moines, Iowa — Former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC) and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) take part in a Republican presidential primary debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, hosted by CNN and moderated by anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash https://www.cnn.com
THURSDAY | JANUARY 11
8:30 a.m. 2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, Virginia — Surface Navy Association 36th National Symposium, with Jay Stefany, performing the duties of the assistant Navy secretary https://navysnaevents.org/national-symposium
10 a.m. — Counter Extremism Project invites webinar: “Spying, Extorting and Filtering – How The Houthis Control Telecommunications In Yemen,” with Yemen specialist Ari Heistein, author of the CEP report series; Edmund Fitton-Brown, CEP senior adviser; and Hans-Jakob Schindler, CEP senior director https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register
10:30 a.m. — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev to the Pentagon
11:30 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW — Center for Strategic and International Studies discussion: “Navigating Security Challenges in the Black Sea Region,” with Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Elizabeth Allen; Lisa Aronsson, research fellow at the National Defense University; Max Bergmann, director of the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center; and Jeffrey Mankoff, senior associate for the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program https://www.csis.org/events/navigating-security-challenges-black-sea-region
12 p.m. — New America virtual discussion: “Guantanamo at Twenty-Two,” with Fionnuala Ni Aolain, university regents professor at University of Minnesota Law and former U.N. Special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Mohamedou Ould Slahi, former detainee at Guantanamo Bay and author of Guantanamo Diary; Andy Worthington, co-founder of Close Guantanamo and author of The Guantanamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison; and Peter Bergen, vice president of New America, co-director of the Arizona State University’s Future Security Initiative and ASU professor of practice https://www.newamerica.org/future-security/events/guantanamo-at-twenty-two
5 p.m. 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in-person and virtual book discussion: Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine’s War of Independence, with author Yaroslav Trofimov, chief foreign affairs correspondent at the Wall Street Journal; and Susan Glasser, staff writer at the New Yorker https://carnegieendowment.org/2024/01/11/our-enemies-will-vanish
FRIDAY | JANUARY 12
8 a.m. 7500 GEOINT Drive, Springfield Virginia — Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Navy Information Warfare Industry Day conference, with session on “Joint Warfighting Concept: Navy’s Contribution to the Joint Force” https://www.afcea.org/events/navy-information-warfare-industry-day
10 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group virtual discussion: “Security in the Western Pacific: Building Future Capabilities in the Time of AUKUS,” with retired Marine Col. Mark Cancian, senior adviser, CSIS International Security Program; Charles Edel, CSIS senior adviser and Australia Chair; Becca Wasser, Senior fellow, Defense Program and lead of The Gaming Lab at the Center for a New American Security; and retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, senior director, Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation and senior fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies https://www.csis.org/events/security-western-pacific
SATURDAY | JANUARY 13
Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election, a three-way race between Vice President William Lai of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang or Nationalist Party, and former Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party
TUESDAY | JANUARY 16
11 a.m. — Defense Priorities virtual discussion: “Keeping the U.S. out of war in the Middle East,” with Andrew Bacevich, chair, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft; Barbara Slavin, distinguished fellow, Stimson Center; Benjamin Friedman, policy director, Defense Priorities; and Daniel DePetris, fellow, Defense Priorities https://keepingusoutofwarinmiddleeast.splashthat.com
FRIDAY | JANUARY 19
9 a.m. — Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress book discussion: “The Arms of the Future, with author Jack Watling, senior research fellow at RUSI in London https://www.addevent.com/event
