Biden defends Pentagon chief Austin after hospitalisation furor
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Transcript
00:00 The US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was admitted to this military hospital in Bethesda
00:05 in Maryland near Washington DC on the 1st of January.
00:10 The White House wasn't informed till the 4th of January.
00:14 Austin was hospitalized due to complications arising from an elective medical procedure.
00:19 On Saturday he issued a statement committing to do better to ensure the public are appropriately
00:24 informed.
00:25 White House spokesman John Kirby says the US President is looking forward to having
00:29 Austin back in the Pentagon.
00:31 "The President respects the fact that Secretary Austin took ownership for the lack of transparency.
00:38 He also respects the amazing job he's done as Defense Secretary and how he's handled
00:42 multiple crises over the last almost three years now."
00:46 A review has been ordered into Austin's secret hospital stay.
00:50 But that's not enough for certain Republicans who want him sacked.
00:53 Former President Donald Trump, Biden's likely Republican challenger in this year's election,
00:59 says Austin should be fired for dereliction of duty.
01:03 Austin in his role is supposed to be available at a moment's notice in the case of a national
01:07 security emergency.
01:09 The scandal comes as Washington tackles growing threats in the Middle East and as it tries
01:14 to maintain its support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.