Washington, Jan 8 (AP) The White House said on Monday that the administration will review what rules or procedures weren't followed when Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin did not disclose his hospitalisation for days to President Joe Biden and top officials at the Pentagon and the National Security Council.

“We'll do what's akin to a hot wash,” John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, said when asked whether Biden wanted a review of what happened. He stressed that the administration will look at the processes in place, and “try to learn from this experience.”

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Austin was hospitalised on January 1, which the Pentagon did not disclose to the public until January 5. Biden and Jake Sullivan, the president's national security adviser, were not aware of Austin's condition until January 4. The Pentagon has refused to offer details about Austin's initial medical procedure on December 22 and what prompted him to be admitted into intensive care at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre on New Year's Day.

Kirby said there is an “expectation” among members of Biden's Cabinet that if one becomes hospitalised, “that will be notified up the chain of command.”

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Still, White House officials on Monday emphasised that Austin continues to retain Biden's confidence, with Kirby adding that the president “respects the fact that Secretary Austin took ownership for the lack of transparency.” (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)