Biden Says Lloyd Austin Had A Lapse In Judgment by Not Telling Him About Hospitalization – But Still Has Confidence In Defense Secretary

President Joe Biden said he still has confidence in Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, but that he had a lapse in judgment by not notifying the White House about his hospitalization earlier.

The Pentagon chief was hospitalized on Jan. 1 after experiencing complications after surgery for prostate cancer. During his stay in the ICU, his team did not inform the president until three days later.

As Biden was touring a coffee shop in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Friday, reporters peppered the president with questions about Austin’s decision to delay informing the commander-in-chief.

“Do you have confidence in Secretary Austin?” a journalist asked the president, to which he responded, “I do.”

When asked if his Austin had a “lapse in judgment” by not informing Biden about his hospitalization the president said, “Yes.”

According to CNN, Biden administration officials have also stated that despite Austin’s health issues, he’s been very much in command of all issues” including coordinating the military strike on Yemen.

John Kirby informed reporters on Friday that the defense secretary was working from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Previously, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has stated that the White House has “complete confidence” in Austin despite the controversy.

Watch the clip above via CNN.