Ahmad 
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has concealed his hospitalization from the White House and congressional leaders, and the nature of his health remains a mystery, raising questions about his ability to carry out his duties.
The White House insists that President Joe Biden, who did not know that Austin was hospitalized until 3 days after his admission, still has full confidence in him.
Senior White House officials said Sunday that “the nature of Austin’s medical condition remains a mystery to many senior White House staff,” but added that the situation was unlikely to affect Biden’s positive opinion of his defense secretary.
Austin, 70, was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit after complications from surgery on Dec. 22, Pentagon officials said.
Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder confirmed that Austin “has no plans to resign” over the incident, and it is not clear when he will be discharged from the hospital.
Austin said in a statement Saturday that he was “improving and looks forward to returning to the Pentagon soon,” adding, “I also understand the media’s concerns about transparency, and I recognize that I could have done a better job to ensure the public is better informed” of my health.