'Reckless and Irresponsible'

And some are incensed that Austin withheld his cancer diagnosis from President Joe Biden until Tuesday, weeks after Austin learned of his condition in an early December prostate screening.

One DOD official described being “disappointed” in the well-respected secretary’s decision-making.

“He made a deliberate decision to not share something so important at minimum with the POTUS. It was reckless and irresponsible,” the official said. “I don’t want to take away the human element of his diagnosis. … However, his judgment should be questioned on this one.”

[So should Biden’s. Austin caused an unnecessary and dangerous disruption in the constitutional order of civilian control over the military out of selfishness and recklessness. Biden should have fired Austin immediately for it. Instead, the White House has had to backpedal on every statement it issues over the incident and looks ‘reckless and irresponsible’ itself in the handling of Austin and the DoD. — Ed]