Attorney General Merrick Garland will undergo back surgery this weekend and delegate his duties to the deputy attorney general during the procedure, the Justice Department said Monday. The news comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin returns to work at the Pentagon following a hospitalization related to prostate cancer that was criticized for being kept secret for days.
Quick Read
- Attorney General Merrick Garland will undergo back surgery this weekend and delegate his duties during the procedure, as announced by the Justice Department.
- The back procedure, expected to last about 90 minutes, will be performed under general anesthesia and is described as “minimally invasive.”
- Garland, 71, is anticipated to return home on the same day of the surgery, which is scheduled for Saturday.
- During his recovery from anesthesia, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco will temporarily assume Garland’s duties shortly before, during, and after the procedure.
- Garland is expected to return to work the week of February 5, following his recovery.
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently returned to work at the Pentagon after a month-long absence due to prostate cancer surgery.
- Austin’s hospitalization and the lack of immediate disclosure prompted criticism and subsequent reviews, leading to changes in federal guidelines regarding informing the White House when a Cabinet head is unable to carry out their duties.
- Comparatively, when Garland underwent a routine medical procedure in 2022, his office informed the public a week in advance and provided details about his expected absence and return to work.
The Associated Press has the story:
Attorney General Merrick Garland to undergo surgery, DOJ says
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
Attorney General Merrick Garland will undergo back surgery this weekend and delegate his duties to the deputy attorney general during the procedure, the Justice Department said Monday.
The news comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin returns to work at the Pentagon following a hospitalization related to prostate cancer that was criticized for being kept secret for days.
Garland, 71, will be under general anesthesia during the back procedure on Saturday, which will last about 90 minutes and is “minimally invasive,” said Xochitl Hinojosa, director of public affairs at the Justice Department. He is expected to return home the same day, she said. Garland will delegate his duties to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco shortly before, during and for a short time after the procedure as he recovers from the anesthesia, the statement said. He is expected to return to work the week of Feb. 5.
Austin returned to the Pentagon Monday after nearly a month-long absence. He underwent a surgical procedure for the cancer on Dec. 22 and was released, but was then admitted to intensive care days later after experiencing extreme pain. He stayed there for two weeks but didn’t inform the White House or his deputy that he had cancer, had surgery or returned to the hospital until days later.
Austin’s lack of disclosure prompted two ongoing reviews as well as changes in federal guidelines to ensure the White House will be informed any time a Cabinet head can’t carry out their job.
When Garland went in for a routine medical procedure in 2022, his office also informed the public a week in advance and outlined how long he was expected to be out and when he would return to work.
