Pentagon can’t say when Secretary Austin will resume working in person following secretive hospitalization

The Pentagon said Tuesday that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin continues to recuperate at home following a medical procedure earlier this month, though there was no expected time frame provided for his return to the office.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters during a press briefing that Austin is performing his duties from home, including participating in the 18th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Tuesday.

The group consists of 50 plus countries who gather monthly to coordinate security assistance for Ukraine.

In Austin’s opening comments during the meeting, he reaffirmed U.S. support to Ukraine, adding that the U.S. will collaborate with international allies and partners to ensure Ukraine gets the capabilities it needs to protect its citizens and sovereignty from Russian attacks during the winter and beyond.

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized this month after suffering severe pain following an elective procedure to treat his prostate cancer. (Ian Waldie/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Austin did not address his health or hospitalization during his comments.

When asked why Austin did not mention anything about his health as he attended the meeting from his home, Ryder said it was the secretary’s prerogative to steer clear from such comments in his prepared remarks.

Ryder also told reporters upon questioning that he did not have anything to announce in terms of Austin’s return to the Pentagon.

DEFENSE SEC. LLOYD AUSTIN IN 'GOOD CONDITION' AS HOSPITALIZATION APPROACHES TWO-WEEK MARK: PENTAGON OFFICIALS

Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder pauses as he is asked about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, on Tuesday, Jan. 9.  (AP/Susan Walsh)

"The secretary continues to recuperate from home," Ryder said. "He’s recovering well. As I highlighted last week, part of his care at home continues to be physical therapy. But again, we’ll keep you updated on his return date to the Pentagon."

Austin, 70, and the Pentagon have come under heavy scrutiny for not being more transparent about the secretary's hospitalization and communication gaps that left senior officials and the White House unaware of his condition or whereabouts for several days.

Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent prostate cancer surgery. He developed an infection a week later and was readmitted to the hospital.

DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (C) speaks alongside Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. (R) during a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting at the Pentagon on November 22, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

President Biden and other senior administration officials were not told for days about his hospitalization or his cancer.

Despite being admitted to Walter Reed upon Jan.1, the Pentagon didn't inform the public, press or Congress until Jan. 5. 

Officials also acknowledged that the White House had not been informed about Austin's hospitalization until Jan. 4. 

According to the doctors, the cancer was detected when Austin had a regular screening in early December. 

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They said his prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis was excellent.

Austin has been called to testify before congressional lawmakers to explain why his hospitalization was kept secret.

The Pentagon is conducting an internal review into the communication lapse. 

Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.