White House initiates ‘Cabinet Protocol Review’ following Defense Sec’s absence
White House Chief of Staff Launches Review of Cabinet Protocols
White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients has taken action to review Cabinet protocols, prompted by the recent incident involving Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Even President Joe Biden was left unaware when Austin spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit.
The White House was only informed hours before the news became public that Austin, who was believed to be working from home, was actually hospitalized at Walter Reed Military Medical Center due to complications from an elective procedure. It was later revealed that Austin had undergone a prostatectomy as part of his prostate cancer treatment.
Zients has sent a memo to all cabinet secretaries, directing them to submit their existing protocols for a delegation of authority by January 12. This means they must specify who would assume responsibility if the secretary is unable to perform their duties.
The White House chief of staff is also ordering Cabinet heads to notify his office if they ever can’t perform their duties. https://t.co/eyMvMlhJmi
— ArmyTimes (@ArmyTimes) January 9, 2024
This memo comes amidst calls for Austin’s resignation, which President Biden has already stated he would not accept. There is also a GOP-led effort to impeach the Defense Secretary, who remains hospitalized but has been moved out of the ICU.
A memo was also sent to Austin’s staff, instructing Jennifer Walsh, the Director of Administration and Management, to review records and communications alongside the General Counsel to determine what occurred regarding Austin’s hospitalization.
While Austin has apologized for his lack of transparency, critics argue that his failure to inform the White House raises concerns. MSNBC host Joe Scarborough addressed the issue on “Morning Joe,” stating that while Austin had no obligation to inform the public or media about his personal medical issues, he did have a responsibility to inform the President.
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How will the review establish a structured reporting process to ensure prompt and accurate information about Cabinet members’ health concerns is relayed to the President and his staff?
That Austin had undergone a knee replacement surgery that resulted in an infection, requiring immediate medical attention.
This incident raised concerns about the lack of transparency and communication within the Cabinet and the need for a thorough review of protocols to ensure that the President and White House staff are kept informed about the health and well-being of Cabinet members.
As the White House Chief of Staff, Jeff Zients has taken responsibility for addressing these concerns and has initiated a thorough review of Cabinet protocols. This review aims to identify any gaps or shortcomings in the current procedures and establish new guidelines to ensure better communication and transparency moving forward.
One of the key aspects of the review is to define clear reporting mechanisms for Cabinet members’ health issues. It is evident that the current system failed to provide timely and accurate information about Secretary Austin’s hospitalization. To prevent such oversights in the future, the review will focus on establishing a structured reporting process that ensures the President and his staff are promptly informed about any health concerns or absences of Cabinet members.
Furthermore, the review will also examine the protocols surrounding public communication of Cabinet members’ health issues. In the case of Secretary Austin, the news of his hospitalization was only made public after several days, leaving the American public and even President Biden himself unaware of the situation. This lack of transparency not only raises concerns about public trust but also highlights the need for a more efficient and timely dissemination of information.
In addition to addressing the immediate concerns raised by the recent incident, the review will also assess the overall governance and organizational structure of the Cabinet. It will examine the roles and responsibilities of Cabinet members, as well as their reporting lines and relationships with the President and White House staff. This broader assessment aims to identify any systemic issues or disconnects that may hinder effective communication and coordination between the Cabinet and the White House.
The White House Chief of Staff understands the importance of strong and transparent governance, especially when it comes to the highest levels of leadership. The review of Cabinet protocols is a step towards improving communication, accountability, and trust within the Executive Branch. By establishing clearer guidelines and mechanisms for reporting and communication, the Biden administration aims to ensure that incidents like Secretary Austin’s hospitalization do not recur and that the President and his staff are well-informed of the well-being of their Cabinet members.
As the review progresses, it is expected that recommendations for improvements will be proposed and implemented. The ultimate goal is to establish a robust and efficient system that promotes transparency, accountability, and effective governance within the Cabinet. This review serves as a reminder that even the highest levels of leadership require constant evaluation and improvement to maintain the trust and confidence of the American people.
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