The remarks cap a tumultuous few weeks for Austin after it emerged that he was hospitalized on New Year's Day and that no one knew for days that he had undergone surgery for prostate cancer.

Austin's hospitalization became controversial after it emerged that no one — including the president — knew that he had undergone surgery for prostate cancer or that he had suffered complications.

The White House said President Biden was only informed that Austin had prostate cancer Tuesday morning.

A roundup of key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Pentagon earlier this year required the vaccine for all members of the military, including active duty, National Guard and the Reserves.

The Trump-era Pentagon head says he wants to publish an "unvarnished" account of his turbulent time in the post. But the Biden administration wants him to delete parts of 60 pages of the text.

The decision was announced Friday in Manila by Philippines Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin. U.S. military presence in the region is seen as a counterbalance to China.