Sen. Tuberville Blocks Promotion of Top Army General Over Health Secrecy

Tuberville cites concerns about Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark's handling of Defense Secretary Austin's hospitalization and awaits an Inspector General report.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville has blocked the promotion of Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark, who was nominated to become the four-star commander of U.S. Army forces in the Pacific.
Tuberville's hold is due to Clark's role in not informing President Biden immediately about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization in January.
Austin was hospitalized on January 1 for complications from prostate cancer surgery but the White House was not notified until January 4.
The Pentagon's press secretary and other officials have emphasized that Clark is highly qualified and that the hold undermines military readiness.
Tuberville is awaiting the results of a Pentagon Inspector General investigation into the handling of Austin's hospitalization before deciding on further action.