Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recovering after being admitted to hospital

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center on New Year's Day for complications from an elective medical procedure, the Pentagon said Friday.

The short statement did not detail what the procedure was or what complications followed the procedure, but it said Austin is "recovering well." Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told that CNN Austin remains in the hospital as of Friday afternoon, but he is expected to resume his full duties later today.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks was "prepared to act for and exercise the powers of the Secretary, if required," Ryder said in the statement.

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