Austin to Undergo Medical Procedure, Delegate Authority to Deputy

Posted on by

Washington — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will undergo a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Friday evening and will transfer power temporarily to his deputy. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement that Austin continues to deal with bladder issues that arose in December following his treatment for prostate cancer.

The procedure is elective and minimally invasive, and “is not related to his cancer diagnosis and has had no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis,” Ryder said.