Military leadership has always been built on a foundation of trust, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to America’s security. These principles, core to our nation’s defense, aren’t just traditions. They’re also requirements codified into law through measures like the Federal Vacancies Reform Act (FVRA).

For uniformed service members, violations of these sacred duties typically end careers. However, for those at the highest levels of the Joe Biden administration, it seems a different standard applies.

When Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin disappeared from public view earlier this year, Americans were told it was an isolated incident. We were assured proper protocols were followed. We were wrong.

A bombshell Department of Defense Inspector General report has revealed that Secretary Austin didn’t just violate federal law once or twice – but four separate times. This includes two previously unknown incidents in June of 2024 that were deliberately hidden from Congress and the American people.

“For days in December, January, and June, no one in Congress or in your administration knew that Secretary Austin was unable to perform the functions and duties of the Secretary,” wrote Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and 11 Republican senators in a scathing letter to President Biden.

Nuclear Command Left ‘Idling’

Perhaps most alarming was the report’s revelation about America’s nuclear command structure during Austin’s absences. According to the Inspector General, “no one had control of the nuclear football, and the entire American nuclear enterprise was left idling.”

Let that sink in – while our adversaries were testing our resolve, nobody was minding America’s nuclear store.

This leadership vacuum occurred while China was flying surveillance balloons over American territory, Russia was escalating nuclear threats over Ukraine, and Iranian-backed terrorists were preparing what would become historic attacks against Israel.

“The world was far from stable, and America was not safe,” the senators emphasized in their letter. Indeed, they highlighted the gravity of leaving the nation’s nuclear command structure effectively leaderless during multiple international crises.

The Inspector General’s findings paint a troubling picture of intentional concealment. When Austin needed emergency transport to Walter Reed Hospital, he specifically requested ambulances arrive without lights or sirens. This was an apparent attempt to avoid public attention.

Even more concerning, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks wasn’t informed she had assumed acting secretary duties during some of these absences. When she did learn of her temporary authority, she too failed to notify Congress and the White House as required by law.

Remember when transparency was more than just a buzzword in Washington?

Double Standard Of Accountability

“If a uniformed officer had done only one of these things he or she would be facing the end of their career,” the senators noted. This highlighted the stark double standard being applied to civilian leadership.

Inspector General Robert P. Storch warned that while no immediate consequences resulted from these violations, “the risks to our national defense, including the command and control of the DoD’s critical national security operations, were increased unnecessarily.”

The timing of the report’s release – just days before the end of the Biden administration – has raised additional concerns about accountability. The senators accused political officers within the DOD of obstructing and delaying the investigation until it would have minimal impact.

If this happened under any other administration, the media outrage would be deafening.

America’s military readiness depends on clear chains of command, transparent leadership, and strict adherence to constitutional oversight. Secretary Austin’s repeated violations of these principles and the Biden administration’s apparent unwillingness to enforce basic standards of accountability represent a dangerous departure from these foundational requirements.

As Chairman Wicker and his colleagues said it best in their letter:

“There must be accountability for Secretary Austin’s irresponsible behavior, your administration’s multiple violations of the FVRA, and the mishandling of the nuclear football,” they demanded.

The American people deserve nothing less than full accountability for these serious breaches of public trust and national security protocols. The standards that have long governed our military leadership cannot be selectively applied based on political convenience or personal preference.

Key Takeaways: 

• Secretary Austin violated federal law four times, including two previously undisclosed incidents.
• Nuclear command structure left “idling” during multiple international crisis points.
• Senior Biden officials deliberately concealed violations until the administration’s final days.
• Double standard: Career-ending offenses for military officers go unpunished for political appointees.

Sources: Breitbart, Senator Roger Wicker