Fox News Politics: ‘It’s not optimal’

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What’s Happening? 

– More big names revealed in Epstein court docs 

– Fox News hosts town hall with DeSantis in Iowa

– Gov. Newsom declares special election to replace Kevin McCarthy

Secretary of Defense on the defense

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin went into the ICU on Jan. 1, but the White House, Congress and the rest of the world did find out until days later — while the cabinet member was still in intensive care. 

Now, Austin has announced that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer — another detail that the White House didn’t know about. What he initially referred to as an elective procedure was actually a prostatectomy he had last month, which led to complications. 

The White House on Tuesday said the way the whole situation, and the president being in the dark about his own secretary of defense’s medical condition, was “not optimal.” Still, the White House is standing by Austin.

The Pentagon said Monday that Austin’s chief of staff was sick with the flu, which led to the breakdown in communication. There are mounting calls for Austin’s ouster.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin remains hospitalized a week after suffering server pain following an elective procedure, the Pentagon said Monday. (Ian Waldie/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The White House

BILLABLE HOURS: Top Trump prosecutor met with Biden WH twice as he worked to investigate former president …Read more

‘EMPTY WORDS’: Biden kowtows to protester ‘passion,’ says he’s working to reduce Israeli presence in Gaza …Read more

‘UH, NO’: Washington Post upset with Lloyd Austin over mysterious absence …Read more

‘A HUGE WIN’: Biden’s war on appliances dealt major blow by federal appeals court …Read more

Capitol Hill

ANOTHER ONE DOWN: Brother of Mike Pence becomes latest House Republican to retire after 2024 …Read more

‘SENSATIONALIZED ALLEGATIONS’: Menendez defends himself against mounting federal bribery charges …Read more

Tails from the Campaign Trail

‘NOT DONE FIGHTING’: Veteran Air Force pilot joins race for Congress, says moment ‘too important’ for career politicians …Read more

POWER RANKINGS: Fox News Power Rankings: What each candidate must do to make the GOP primary competitive …Read more

BLAME BIDEN: Trump attorney: Biden ‘prosecuting his number one political opponent’ through Jack Smith at immunity hearing …Read more

TAKING NO CHANCES: Trump ramps up in Iowa as presidential caucuses approach …Read more

Across America

CHECKLIST 2024: Arizona governor declares top priorities for 2024 …Read more

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Top Trump prosecutor, Georgia DA alleged to be in ‘improper’ romantic relationship: New court filing …Read more

ASKED AND ANSWERED: Clinton library trolled after people guessed ex-POTUS sent first email to Epstein …Read more