White House Orders Cabinet to Report Inability to Perform Duties

The White House has ordered Cabinet heads to notify the office if they are unable to perform their duties, following the surprise illness of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

In response to the recent surprise illness of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the White House has initiated a policy review and ordered Cabinet heads to notify the Chief of Staff's office if they are unable to perform their duties. Jeff Zients, the White House Chief of Staff, issued a memo to Cabinet secretaries, instructing them to submit any existing procedures for delegating authority in case of incapacitation or loss of communication by Friday.

Notification Requirement

While the review is ongoing, agencies are required to inform the Chief of Staff's office and the Office of Cabinet Affairs at the White House if an agency experiences or plans to experience a situation where a Cabinet head cannot fulfill their responsibilities.

Austin's Hospitalization

The memo comes after President Joe Biden and other top officials were not informed for several days that Austin had been hospitalized and had temporarily transferred power to his deputy. The Pentagon attributed the lapse to a key staffer's absence due to illness.

Details of Austin's Illness

Austin, 70, was admitted to the hospital on December 22 for an elective procedure, which turned out to be more serious than initially anticipated. He temporarily transferred some of his authorities to his deputy without providing a clear explanation to her or other US leaders. After experiencing severe pain, he was taken back to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by ambulance and placed in intensive care on January 1. The White House was not informed of his hospitalization until January 4.

The White House's policy review aims to ensure that there are clear procedures in place for the delegation of authority in the event of a Cabinet head's incapacitation or loss of communication. This will help prevent any future lapses in communication and ensure the smooth functioning of the government.