Biden Will Not Fire Lloyd Austin: White House Spox
Joe Biden has no plans to fire Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, according to comments to reporters Monday morning by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre and National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
Kirby said Biden “looks forward to having him back at the Pentagon as soon as possible” and that Biden “respects the fact that Secretary Austin took ownership for the lack of transparency. He also respects the amazing job he’s done as Defense Secretary…”
Kirby said he does not know if Biden knows the details of Austin’s illness. Biden spoke with Austin on Saturday several days after he learned about Austin’s secret hospitalization. Biden has expressed no anger or disappointment at being humiliated over being exposed as not having full control of his administration.
