The Defense Department inspector general said Thursday it will investigate the mishandling of Lloyd Austin’s recent hospitalization, which the Pentagon chief and others close to him kept secret for days in an apparent breach of protocol after he developed serious complications from prostate cancer surgery.
Washington
Austin’s undisclosed hospitalization draws new internal investigation
“The objective of the review is to examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and actions related to the Secretary of Defense’s hospitalization in December 2023-January 2024, and assess whether the DoD’s policies and procedures are sufficient to ensure timely and appropriate notifications and the effective transition of authorities as may be warranted due to health-based or other unavailability of senior leadership,” Storch wrote.
The independent review will be conducted in addition to a 30-day assessment directed by Austin’s office and a parallel review ordered by the White House, which along with Congress and the American public was left in the dark for days about Austin’s illness.
Storch said in his memo on Thursday that his team will perform its work “at the Office of the Secretary of Defense,” but “may identify additional offices and personnel who might have information relevant to our review.”
Austin, a 70-year-old retired Army general, was taken by ambulance to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 1 and placed in intensive care after suffering complications from a surgery on Dec. 22 to remove his prostate, Pentagon officials disclosed this week. But the secretary’s health crisis was not disclosed to some senior aides until Jan. 2. The White House did not learn of it until Jan. 4, a stunning gap in communication in a premier job overseeing U.S. national security.
The Pentagon disclosed the hospitalization to Congress and the American public a day later, and waited until Tuesday to disclose his cancer diagnosis and what led to his hospitalization — more than a week after Austin arrived at Walter Reed. Doctors said in a statement released by the Defense Department that he was suffering from a urinary tract infection, a backup of his small intestines, and the collection of fluid in his abdomen.
That disclosure led to the realization that Austin had not informed Biden of his cancer diagnosis or surgery to treat it, either. John Kirby a spokesman for the National Security Council, called the situation “suboptimal,” but said Biden stands by Austin and wants him to heal and remain his defense secretary.
Pentagon officials have struggled to explain why they failed to notify the White House of Austin’s extended hospitalization for days. His chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, was sick with the flu, said a Pentagon spokesman, Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, but several other senior aides also knew a day after Austin was admitted and said nothing.
Austin’s office this week announced that it would conduct a 30-day review of what went wrong and look to improve. Austin also has taken full responsibility for not disclosing the hospitalization, saying in a statement Saturday that he would “commit to doing better.”
“I am very glad to be on the mend,” Austin said, “and look forward to returning to the Pentagon soon.”
Washington
The American story projected on the Washington Monument came from North Texas
Steve Deitz walks with the energy of a coach; however, he does not hide that he and his team are digital nerds and storytellers who specialize in large-scale visual content and software development. More specifically, the 48-year-old makes a living creating the wow factor at his agency, “900lbs.”
“We started the company working for the Dallas Mavericks, telling large-scale visual content on the Jumbotron, and next thing you know, Activision, Blizzard calls,” he said. “We get to work in the Perot Museum on the biggest exhibit in the museum, and then fast-forward another 12 years, and here we are now.”
His current project is wrapping up in the nation’s capital — sorta. Since Dec.31, projections of America’s story have been given to his agency.
“We’re telling the story of the 250-year birthday of America in the biggest way possible on the facade of the Washington Monument on all four sides,” Deitz said.
He said they started testing out the results a couple of nights before New Year’s Eve. Scenes from Thomas Edison’s light bulb, the Empire State Building, the Model T Ford, and the Industrial Revolution, to name a few, are projected onto the Washington Monument.
Deitz gives his team a ton of credit from the moment he received the call about the project. He also thinks back to the times when he was an athlete who loved to draw in Merkel, Texas. The kid who dared to dream beyond the city limits and outside of the box. The CEO is giving advice to that child who may need a little inspiration.
“Hard work, perseverance, dedication, surround yourself with a team of brilliant people that are way smarter than you, and do the best you possibly can,” he said.
Deitz said there is a likelihood his team’s creations will return to the nation’s capital this year.
Washington
Tracking crime in the DMV: Some areas see drop in violent crime, homicide
It is not the way any homicide squad wants to start an already busy new year.
Prince George’s County police Sunday were trying to figure out who was found dead in a car behind a strip center overnight and why. Police, who responded after a call about gun shots, told News4 they’re still searching for the most basic details.
It comes just a day after three people were shot and killed at a Temple Hills banquet hall early Saturday morning. Police told News4 that investigation is active and showing signs of promise.
But the busy start somewhat hides the bigger picture about crime in the area.
Despite the tough start to 2026, homicide in Prince George’s County was down 40% in 2025 percent compared to 2024, and violent crime on a whole was down 19%, both through mid-December according to Prince George’s County police.
In D.C. is a similar story.
“Now we have no crime in Washington, DC. We have no killing,” said President Donald Trump Saturday during a news conference about action in Venezuela.
While the crime rate is not nearly as good as Trump has repeatedly said, the District recorded five homicides in December and 126 in all of 2025. That’s down 32% over 2024. Violent crime is down 29%, according to D.C .police crime statistics.
In Fairfax, homicide is down 14% — but the county only had 12 total — and violent crime dropped 4%, according to the county’s online reporting.
Washington
Commanders vs. Eagles | How to watch, listen and live stream
Mariota, who is dealing with a cut on his throwing hand and a quad injury, was considered doubtful to play in Week 18, Quinn said earlier in the week, and has not practiced since sustaining his injuries. Josh Johnson is set to make his second start to close out the Commanders’ season.
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