Month: February 2024

U.S. defense officials said on Monday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has canceled a trip to Brussels this week following his hospitalization on Sunday due to “an emergent bladder issue”. News of Austin’s hospitalization had raised questions as to whether Austin would be healthy enough to continue with that planned travel. U.S. defense officials said to multiple media outlets: “The secretary will no longer travel to Brussels and Wednesday’s Ukraine Defense Contact Group will now be held virtually.”

The Pentagon had announced last week that Austin would be traveling to Brussels to attend a monthly meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the more than 50 countries providing military aid to Ukraine, and a separate meeting of NATO defense ministers. Austin’s latest hospitalization on Sunday was made public shortly after his security detail took him to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center seeking care for the new issue that appeared tied to his secret hospitalization in early January for complications resulting from a surgical procedure to treat his prostate cancer.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said in a recent statement: “At approximately 4:55 pm today, Secretary Austin transferred the functions and duties of the office of the Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. The Deputy Secretary of Defense has assumed the functions and duties. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House, and Congress have been notified.”

Late Sunday night, Dr. John Maddox and Dr. Gregory Chesnut, Austin’s doctors at Walter Reed, said he had been admitted to the critical care unit.  Their statement read: “Earlier today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was transported by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to be seen for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue. Tonight, after a series of tests and evaluations, the Secretary was admitted into the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for supportive care and close monitoring. At this time, it is not clear how long Secretary Austin will remain hospitalized. The current bladder issue is not expected to change his anticipated full recovery. His cancer prognosis remains excellent. Updates on the Secretary’s condition will be provided as soon as possible.”

Austin recently faced scrutiny and criticism after undergoing a surgical procedure for prostate cancer on Dec. 22, which led to a urinary tract infection and serious intestinal complications which led to his hospitalization on Jan. 1. However, the White House didn’t learn of Austin’s diagnosis or hospitalization  or three days, to which Austin recently apologized for: “I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis, and should also have told my team and the American public. I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”  Austin has said he directly apologized to Biden and told him he was “deeply sorry” for not letting him know of his diagnosis immediately.

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According to senior law enforcement officials, the assault style-type rifle used by the woman shot and killed Sunday afternoon at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston had “Palestine” written on it. Police have stated that two off-duty officers at the church returned fire, striking the shooter and killing her at about 1:50 p.m. The child, identified as the shooters’ son, was also struck during the incident and was in critical condition. Police Chief Troy Finner said at a news conference that the boy was approximately 5 years old.

Osteen said that the shooting happened between services as people were arriving for Spanish service. About 45,000 people attend services there every week, making it one of the largest megachurches in the country. In a statement on Facebook, Osteen urged his congregation to lean on their faith to cope with anguish: “Our community is devastated by today’s events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement. Together, we will rise above this tragedy and stand firm in our commitment to love and support one another.”

The shooter, identified as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, also made several undisclosed statements during the course of the incident, and law enforcement officials added that Moreno previously went by another male name. Moreno also stated she had a bomb, but a search of the vehicle showed there were no explosive devices. Police Chief Finner  said that one of the off-duty officers involved the incident is an agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and the other is a Houston police officer. Officials are investigating possible motives, but have not conclusively say what led to the shooting. They have not ruled out terrorism or hate crime-related motives.

Law enforcement records also revealed that Moreno had at least six prior arrests since 2005, including unlawful carrying of a weapon, which she pleaded guilty to; evading arrest; and assault on a public official, which was pleaded to a lesser charge.

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