Row over US defense secretary's secret hospitalization

The recent hospitalization of US defense secretary Lloyd Austin has raised concerns about secrecy, transparency, and protocol. The delay in informing key figures, including President Joe Biden and deputy defense secretary Kathleen Hicks, has sparked a debate. Austin was hospitalized after an elective medical procedure, and the secrecy surrounding it has led to questions about the handling of high-level health crises. Deputy defense secretary Kathleen Hicks assumed some of Austin's duties, but she was only informed of his condition days later. Several lawmakers have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and communication breakdown.