National Security Council spokesman John Kirby attempted to run clean up and regain credibility for the Biden administration Tuesday after the Defense Secretary went missing for at least four days. President Biden was not informed Austin had surgery for prostate cancer in December, resulting in an infection that landed him in the intensive care unit last week. Tuesday morning Biden was informed Austin has cancer and the Pentagon continues to call the surgery "elective."
The debacle and lack of transparency has raised serious questions about what else the Biden administration may be hiding or lying about, badly damaging credibility.
DOOCY: "Why should we believe ANYTHING that this administration tells us about ANYTHING ever again?!"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 9, 2024
KIRBY: "The Pentagon has been very, very honest with themselves...How hard it was for them to be fully transparent with the American people!" pic.twitter.com/kNcuxd3OKz
John Kirby REFUSES to acknowledge ANY future accountability measures in the wake of the lack of transparency with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization. pic.twitter.com/surd8FqATt
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 9, 2024
Biden is still standing by Austin, despite his failure to disclose his absence. The Pentagon and the White House have called for 30-day reviews of the situation.
Reuters's Steve Holland: "Does the President plan to stick with secretary Austin through the rest of the term?"
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 9, 2024
John Kirby: "Yes." pic.twitter.com/1ARtyTax8q
President Biden hasn't held a Cabinet meeting since October. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre says there are no plans to hold one anytime soon.
REPORTER: "When will the president hold another solo news conference?"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 9, 2024
JEAN-PIERRE: "I don't have anything."
"Does the president know where his cabinet members are and what they're doing?!"
"The president is in regular touch." pic.twitter.com/87dxb6ciS1