Pentagon Watchdog to Investigate Austin’s Hospitalization

The Pentagon is launching an investigation following the failure of its top civilian leader to notify President Joe Biden about changes in the chain of command during an emergency medical procedure. The investigation into Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s lack of communication with the White House will begin this month, according to a memo published by the office of the Pentagon Inspector General. “The objective of the review is to examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and actions” related to the Secretary of Defense’s hospitalization, according to the memo. The inspector general will also seek to “assess whether the DoD’s policies and procedures are sufficient to ensure timely and appropriate notifications and the effective transition of authorities as may be warranted due to health-based or other unavailability of senior leadership.”...