Audio Of 911 Call Related To Lloyd Austin’s Secret Hospitalization Has Been Released

The audio of the 911 call a member of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s team placed on New Year’s Day, asking for the Pentagon chief to be transferred to the hospital after he experienced complications following an earlier surgery, has been released.

The secretary’s secret hospitalization was met with concern in Washington as Austin failed to promptly notify top administration officials, including President Joe Biden, of his condition amid U.S. involvement in several major conflicts around the world, including Israel’s war in Gaza and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The call was first obtained by The Daily Beast Tuesday through a Freedom of Information Act request in Virginia.

While parts of the call have been redacted, a member of Austin’s team is heard requesting an ambulance for the secretary to be transferred, preferably to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The caller, whose name was also redacted, asked for discretion.

“Can the ambulance not show up with lights and sirens?” they asked. “We’re trying to remain a little subtle.”

In response to questions by the 911 dispatcher to assess Austin’s condition, the caller said the secretary wasn’t experiencing chest pain, had not passed out at any point and was alert and awake. They added that Austin had not vomited blood or had a bloody stool.

Austin was released from the hospital Monday, as his doctors said he “progressed well throughout his stay and his strength is rebounding,” noting that he may still have to undergo physical therapy.

Pentagon officials only last week revealed Austin had a prostatectomy on Dec. 22, complications from which led to Austin’s hospitalization on Jan. 1.

The decision to keep Austin’s admission to the hospital secret for three days from