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Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense Remains Hospitalized. The U.S. Secretary of Defense was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 1, Fox News reports. According to Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Austin underwent an elective medical procedure on Dec. 22. He was discharged the following day but was in "severe pain" on Jan. 1, at which point he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Austin is recovering and resumed work duties from Walter Reed on Jan. 5, Ryder said. "Since resuming his duties on Friday evening, the Secretary has received operational updates and has provided necessary guidance to his team." "He has full access to required communications capabilities and continues to monitor DoD’s day-to-day operations worldwide.", Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, via statement. Ryder refused to elaborate on Austin's condition due to privacy reasons, Fox News reports. It is not yet known when Austin will be released from the hospital. Ryder was also unable to confirm whether Austin will be able to conduct press briefings in person this week. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT