NBC’s Peter Alexander Grills Lloyd Austin Over His Medical Absence: Why Shouldn’t You Be Dismissed?

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin faced a series of tough questions in his first press conference since returning to work following a medical procedure he kept secret from President Joe Biden. But none was more brutal than the query from NBC News reporter Peter Alexander, who effectively asked Austin why he still had his job.

Austin, who has prostate cancer, was hospitalized for two weeks last month over complications from a surgery, details of which emerged only after reporters broke the story. The Biden administration later learned through press reports of Austin’s condition, and the secretary of defense apologized to the American people for the lack of transparency during Thursday’s press conference. He also revealed that he told Biden he was “deeply sorry.”

Alexander’s question was the most direct of the reporters holding Austin to account.

“You were hospitalized for days before you informed the White House or Commander-in-Chief of your condition in your absence,” the NBC News reporter noted. “Anyone else within the military chain of command would have faced reprimand or dismissal. Why shouldn’t that same standard apply to you, sir?”

“Let me first say — thanks for the question — that we didn’t get this right,” Austin calmly replied before reiterating his earlier talking points. “And as I said, I take full responsibility for the department’s actions in terms of why, on the second notification was not made to the White House, that information was available. I’m not sure, at this point, what exactly happened, but I think details will play out as the review is conducted.”

The Pentagon Inspector General is reviewing “the roles, processes, and actions” related to Defense Secretary Austin’s hospitalization. It is not known when their findings will be released.

Watch above via Fox News