Dem Rep. Chris Deluzio calls for Defense Secretary Austin's resignation

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio on Wednesday called for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's resignation amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding his hospitalization and failure to notify the public.

Though many Republicans have condemned Austin's handling of the matter, Deluzio is the first Democrat in Congress to call for his resignation. The Pentagon chief has taken personal responsibility for the communications breakdown, saying on Saturday that "I recognize I could have done better."

"I have lost trust in Secretary Lloyd Austin's leadership of the Defense Department due to the lack of transparency about his recent medical treatment and its impact on the continuity of the chain of command," Politico reported. "I have a solemn duty in Congress to conduct oversight of the Defense Department through my service on the House Armed Services Committee. That duty today requires me to call on Secretary Austin to resign."

The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center this week confirmed that Austin was hospitalized due to complications from a December procedure related to related to his diagnosis with prostate cancer.

Earlier this week, Politico reported that President Joe Biden would not accept Austin's resignation were he to offer it and was not exploring his firing, citing "four senior administration officials."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.