The Minister of Defense of America, Lloyd J. Austin, underwent surgery for cancer last month. This information was not disclosed to President Joe Biden. In a statement, the Trauma Medical Director of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center stated that Austin was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of last month. The 70-year-old Austin was admitted to the hospital, where he received advice and consultations from his medical team. He underwent surgery on December 22, 2023, and returned home the next morning.