Impeachment era: Lloyd Austin on defensive over medical secrecy as GOP seeks to out-MAGA each other

President Joe Biden’s administration pledged from day one to restore truth and transparency to the federal government — but now it’s facing a maelstrom of criticism and credibility questions after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization was kept secret for days, even from the White House. The controversy has prompted a government-wide review of what protocols are in place to prevent such failures and the Pentagon is scrutinizing its own procedures following the extraordinary lapse, which left even Austin’s top deputies unaware of his condition for days. Amid secrecy surrounding the US Defense Secretary’s hospitalization, FRANCE 24’s Mark Owen is joined by Ian Reifowitz, Sociopolitical Author and Distinguished Professor of Historical Studies at Empire State College of the State University of New York.