Departure of Pentagon Chief of Staff Magsamen

A significant figure involved in the controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s undisclosed hospitalization is resigning.

Kelly Magsamen, Austin’s chief of staff, has announced her departure at the end of June. Magsamen was absent due to illness when Austin was hospitalized for prostate cancer in January.

The delay in informing the White House about Austin’s hospitalization led to a congressional inquiry. Magsamen sent an email to top DOD civilian and military officials just two hours before the Pentagon publicly disclosed the secretary’s hospitalization.

Congress was informed by the Department of Defense about the situation only 15 minutes before the official statement was released.

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chair of the House Armed Services Committee, criticized Magsamen in a letter for the lack of transparency, calling it “inexcusable.”

Austin later issued an apology and testified at a congressional hearing. He praised Magsamen extensively upon her announcement of resignation.

“Kelly has been by my side since the beginning of my tenure as Secretary of Defense. She has been instrumental in every initiative I have launched to protect our nation, care for our personnel, and achieve success through collaboration,” Austin stated.