West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin expressed his support for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday, despite acknowledging Austin’s mistake in not promptly informing President Joe Biden about his hospitalization. Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Manchin emphasized the need to avoid hasty decisions, stating, “You don’t change right now, you don’t throw a person out that has dedicated his entire life and done a good job of giving everything he has to it.”
Manchin pointed to Austin’s admission of the error and emphasized the Defense Secretary’s long-standing dedication to public service. He also highlighted the recent U.S. strikes on the Houthis in Yemen as evidence that the Pentagon remains functional and coordinated.
Defense Secretary Austin has been hospitalized since the beginning of the year due to an infection following prostate cancer surgery. The delay in notifying President Biden about Austin’s condition has raised concerns and led to calls for further investigation. Manchin acknowledged the need for more information, stating, “There’s definitely been a breakdown. We need to find out more on the facts. We will this week.”
Despite expressing support for Austin, Senator Manchin voiced his ongoing concern about the Defense Secretary’s health and the negative criticisms directed at him. He urged for a more civil discourse, saying, “This toxic atmosphere is what people don’t like anymore. Just have some civility to how we handle ourselves.”
The unfolding situation surrounding Defense Secretary Austin’s hospitalization and the subsequent criticism reflects a complex scenario in Washington, with Manchin advocating for a measured and fact-based approach to address the concerns raised.
This news is reported without bias and aims to provide an objective overview of Senator Manchin’s statements regarding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
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