OPINION: Defense Secretary Austin’s Health Emergency Exposes National Security, and He Needs To Resign

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been under hospital care since the beginning of the new year due to complications arising from a minor elective medical procedure, as disclosed by the Pentagon on Friday in its first official acknowledgment of the situation. Austin has even required intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. The deputy secretary of defense was not informed about Defense Secretary Austin’s hospitalization when she assumed some of his responsibilities on Tuesday, according to two defense officials confirmed by CBS News. Hicks, who was in Puerto Rico, returned on Saturday, as stated by one of the officials. Not only was she kept uninformed about the situation, but more significantly, President Biden was also not made aware. This represents a significant breakdown in communication, a failure that could lead to dismissal even for a minor government official, let alone one holding a crucial role in American national security.

We are at a critical juncture in regard to our national security. With the wars in Ukraine and Israel, which America is heavily involved in, and the American naval campaign to combat Houthi piracy in the Red Sea, we need someone at the helm now more than ever. We can’t afford for our deputy secretary of defense to be taking vacations at the same time our secretary of defense is in the ICU. We certainly can’t afford to hide this information from the President. The American coalition combatting the Houthis recently faced major setbacks as our European allies have failed to commit fully to the coalition, something that could have been smoothed over had Austin been at the wheel. We do not know yet if his health issues contributed to the cracks in the coalition, but as of right now, it isn’t that hard to draw that conclusion. Until we find out more, it would be impossible to say for certain. However, the revelation of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s undisclosed hospitalization and the subsequent lack of communication with both the deputy secretary of defense and President Biden is a serious breach of protocol and an unacceptable incident in the realm of national security. The absence of a key figure like Secretary Austin has far-reaching consequences and the breakdown in communication has the potential to jeopardize ongoing military campaigns and alliances. Given these circumstances, Secretary Austin must either resign or be dismissed by President Biden.

There are a number of possible replacements for Austin. Here are some notable ones.

• Michele Flournoy: A former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Flournoy has extensive experience in defense policy and strategy.
• Jack Reed: A U.S. Senator from Rhode Island and a former Army Ranger, Reed brings both legislative and military experience to the table.
• Tammy Duckworth: A U.S. Senator from Illinois and a veteran of the Iraq War, Duckworth has a strong military background and a track record in public service.
• James Stavridis: A retired U.S. Navy admiral and former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Stavridis has a deep understanding of international relations and military affairs.
• Kathleen H. Hicks: The current Deputy Secretary of Defense, Hicks could be a seamless transition due to her familiarity with the department.
• John Allen: A retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general, Allen has experience in both military leadership and international diplomacy.
• Ray Mabus: A former Secretary of the Navy, Mabus brings expertise in naval affairs and defense policy.
• Susan E. Rice: Former National Security Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Rice has a background in foreign policy and national security and was previously considered by President Biden for Vice President or Secretary of State.

It’s important to note that, as of right now, these are purely hypothetical suggestions, and the actual selection of a replacement would depend on various factors, including the political landscape, qualifications, and the President’s preferences.