TIMELINE: When key figures found out about Lloyd Austin's hospitalization

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hidden hospitalization and intensive care stay is roiling the Pentagon in controversy over its handling of his condition and their communication with the White House, commanders, Congress and the press. The Pentagon is now revealing Austin was transported to the hospital via ambulance on the evening of New Year's Day, Monday,three days before the president was informed.

Also in the three-day period between the Jan. 1 and Jan. 4, the Pentagon's No. 2 official, who would step in to Austin's role in the event of a vacancy, was unaware that the secretary was in intensive care and was on vacation in Puerto Rico.

Here is a look at the timeline of events so far:

FRIDAY, DEC. 22

Secretary Austin undergoes an elective medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and stays overnight. Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks, the No. 2 at the Pentagon, is given temporary authority, but isn't told why.

SATURDAY, DEC. 23

Austin returns home after his procedure.

SATURDAY, DEC. 30 — SUNDAY, DEC. 31

At some point over the weekend before New Year's Day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he spoke with Austin, but a medical issue didn't come up.

MONDAY, JAN. 1

Per National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, Austin huddles via conference call with the president, Blinken, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss «operations in the Middle East.»

«On the morning of the first of January, [Secretary Austin], as well as Secretary Blinken, Jake [Sullivan], other relevant officials did have a secure conference call with the President. This was regarding operations in the Middle East. And so, there was — there was contact on the first of January,» he said.

On the