Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville has called for accountability from the Biden administration following an Inspector General report that revealed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did not adhere to the chain of command during two hospitalizations in 2023 and 2024. According to the report, Secretary Austin failed to notify the White House or Congress about his incapacitation.

Senator Tuberville expressed concern over potential national security risks arising from these lapses in protocol. He stated, "It is dangerous and deeply concerning that our Secretary of Defense left the United States vulnerable when he was completely out of commission twice—and didn’t feel the need to tell his boss either time."

In response, Senator Tuberville, along with Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Biden demanding transparency on how such lapses occurred twice. The letter highlighted instances where neither Congress nor key administration officials were aware that Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks was acting as Secretary.

The senators warned about the potential consequences had a major national security crisis occurred during these periods. They wrote, "The world was far from stable, and America was not safe... It is incredibly fortunate that no major national security crisis occurred while Secretary Austin was incapacitated."

The call for accountability comes as President Donald J. Trump is set to take office soon, with Pete Hegseth expected to be confirmed as the new Secretary of Defense.

Senator Tuberville emphasized the need for holding senior military leaders accountable: "Secretary Austin must be held accountable for betraying his office... The American people are sick of impunity for those at the top of our military."

The situation has raised questions about adherence to legal requirements under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and highlighted concerns regarding oversight within the Department of Defense.