but out of intensive care, after# spending at least four days there last## week for complications from an elective# procedure performed before Christmas.
Many questions about his illness# remain, including why he waited days## to inform President Biden or announce# publicly that he was hospitalized.
Nick Schifrin has been following# this, and he is here with me now.
Nick, it's good to see you.
NICK SCH AMNA N And how is President Biden responding to th NICK SCHIFRIN: So the Pentagon said that# Au and is in good spirits.
And the National# Security Counc expressed confidence in Austin's leadership.
But, as you say, Austin -- Amna, there are# especially after the Pentagon admitted that there# was actually a second stay in the hospital that## Austin didn't disclose to the public or to the# president.
So let's go through the calendar,## according to senior White House defense,# military and congressional officials I spoke to.
So, on December 22, Austin underwent# an elective procedure and transferred## his authorities temporarily to his deputy,## but did not inform her of why or acknowledge# On January 1, Austin participated in a secure# call with President Biden, and later that day## experienced -- quote -- "extreme pain" and# was taken to Walter Reed intensive care## in an ambulance, hospital visit number two.# No national security official was informed.
And even when, the next day, January 2,## he again transferred his authorities to Deput her there -- nobody told her why she# was assuming the responsibilities.
Austin's front office informed the chairman and# the Joint Chiefs of Staff that day, C.Q.
Brown,## but nobody called the president.
That# didn't happen for another two days,## January 4, when National Security# Adviser Jake Sullivan was informed## and Hicks learned for the first time# that Austin was in the hospital.
That was the day, Amna, by the way,# that a U.S. drone strike killed the## head of an Iranian-backed militia# in Baghdad.
The next day, January 5, that is when Austin finally resumes his# duties, and only then, exactly two weeks## after the initial procedure, informed# Congress and releases a public statement.
Among the many questions that remain# unanswered tonight, Amna, what was Austin's## initial procedure?
Was he ever incapacitated# or unconscious?
And why did the chief of staff,## or anyone, frankly, wait for so long# to call the National Security Council?
AMNA NAWAZ: Do we expect to get any answers# to those questions about Austin's health?
And,## also, how is the Pentagon explaining the delay# in notifying the national security adviser?
NICK SCHIFRIN: They're not.
They say that Kelly Magsamen, ha d the flu, although that's not the# excuse that they say of admit that they did not communicate in# the way they should have.
And, today,## Major General Pat Ryder, the spokesman for the# Defense Department, he fell on a sword, basic He admitted that, last Tuesday, he knew about the# hospitalization, but didn't disclose it during a## Thursday briefing because he didn't have enough# details.
He said this today in a gaggle with## reporters: "I should have tried to learn more and# to press for an earlier public acknowledgement,"## but he also added later: "I did not feel I# was at liberty to disclose that information."
That is an explanation that is not sitting well# with Congress.
Even some Democrats are expressing## some concern.
And take a look at this.
This is# from Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine,## the vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations# Committee.
She's been an ally of the Pentagon.
She said -- quote -- "It is inexplicable the# secretary's condition remains shrouded in## secrecy.
He must be forthcoming about the nature# of his illness and his ability to do his job."
AMNA NAWAZ: Nick, there are still# so many unanswered questions.
Why## is all of this important to put together the# time NICK SCHIFRIN: Every Cabinet# official is expected to call## the National Security Counci But the secretary of defense is the second# in the m President Biden and is expected# to be accessible to the president## even in the most dire national security# situation, some kind of nuclear exchange.
Take a listen to Columbia Law Professor Matt# Waxman, who's a former NSC state and DOD official.
MATTHEW WAXMAN, Columbia Law School: This is# dangerous for several reasons.
The president## may need advice, military or defense policy# advice, on short notice.
We have m forces engaged actively in operations# under threat, in some cases, under attack.
And, finally, you never know whether there# might be some urgent and unexpected crisis,## for which a secretary or acting secretary is# needed immediately.
There absolutely has to## be a review.
I mean, this is a terrible and# scary breakdown at the top of the Pentagon.
NICK SCHIFRIN: The Pentagon# promises to do that review,## Amna, and insist that there was no break# in And despite the political criticism, the# Pentagon says Austin has no plans to resign,## and the White House has no plans to ask for it.
AMNA NAWAZ: All right, I know you# will keep looking fo Nick Schifrin, great reporting, NICK SCHIFRIN: Thanks very much.