JUST IN: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Hospitalized

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was rushed to an emergency hospital on Sunday afternoon due to bladder issues less than a month after his previous hospitalization — which he did not initially disclose even to the White House.

According to USA Today, the 70-year-old cabinet official was moved to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for symptoms of a bladder issue. The announcement was made by Pentagon press secretary Air. Force Maj. Gen Pat Ryder.

Previously, Austin was hospitalized earlier this year but his office delayed informing the White House, Congress, and other Pentagon officials, sparking outrage from right-leaning media pundits and lawmakers.

The defense secretary has not transferred authority to his deputy defense secretary, Kathleen Hicks, but she is prepared to assume the duties if necessary, according to the Pentagon.

His hospitalization earlier this year was in relation to an infection sparked from a December surgery for prostate cancer. The Defense Department noted that Austin has conducted “his duties from home since his release from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 15.”

The lack of communication about the defense secretary’s illness sparked a 30-day internal review of policies and procedures. Moreover, Austin did not reveal his prostate cancer to officials nearly a month after it was found during a health screening.

Watch the clip above via Fox News.