Lloyd Austin aide made unusual — and telling — request in 911 call before secret ICU hospitalization

The scandal of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's ICU hospitalization cover-up took another turn on Tuesday.

Audio of the 911 call that one of Lloyd's aides made requesting an ambulance to the secretary's northern Virginia home suggests that aides intentionally tried to keep the hospitalization a secret. The Daily Beast first reported the audio, obtaining it through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The call, made on Jan. 1, begins with the aide identifying himself before informing the dispatcher that he works for Secretary Austin. The aide then made an unusual request.

"Can I ask — can the ambulance not show up with lights and sirens? We're trying to remain a little subtle," the aide said.

The dispatcher replied, "Usually, when they turn into a residential neighborhood they'll turn them off, but they're required by law to run with them [on] the main streets ... primary roads, they have to by law."

The majority of the call is redacted to protect private and confidential information, such as the name of the aide, personal contact information, Austin's address, and the reason that Austin had requested to go to the hospital. At one point, the aide asked if it would be possible to transport Austin to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The call ends with the dispatcher providing the aide with instructions to prepare for the arrival of medics.

The hospitalization set off controversy because, as it was later discovered, not only did the Pentagon hide Austin's hospitalization from practically everyone — including President Joe Biden — for days while claiming he was working remotely, but the Pentagon did not disclose that Austin underwent surgery days before Christmas.

It's still not clear who decided to cover up Austin's health problems or if anyone has been held responsible.

Austin was finally released from the hospital on Monday.

"The secretary continues to recover well and, on the advice of doctors, will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon," the Pentagon said in a statement. "He has full access to required secure communications capabilities."

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