U.S. Defense Secretary apologizes after not reporting recent hospital stay to federal officials

(Arlington, VA)  --  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is apologizing for his recent controversial hospital stay.  

Austin told reporters he did not handle the situation appropriately, as he failed to promptly notify President Biden and senior administration officials of his cancer diagnosis and hospitalization. He stressed that there were no gaps in authority during his treatment. He said he never directed staff to conceal his hospital stay. 

Austin was hospitalized earlier this month due to complications from a December surgery to treat prostate cancer. He faced sharp criticism and calls to resign from some.