Attorney General Merrick Garland to undergo surgery

Attorney General Merrick Garland is slated to have a "minimally invasive back procedure" on Saturday that will involve receiving anesthesia, Justice Department spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa indicated in a statement, according to Politico. The procedure is meant to tackle spinal stenosis.

"The procedure requires general anesthesia and will last about 90 minutes. The Attorney General is likely to go home the same day," Hinjosa noted, according to the outlet.

Garland's authority will be temporarily granted to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

"The delegation of his duties will go to the Deputy Attorney General shortly before the procedure, during the procedure, and for a brief period following the procedure to allow for recovery from general anesthesia," Hinojosa noted, according to NBC News. Garland "will return to work the week of February 5th," Hinjosa reportedly indicated.

"Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine," according to mayoclinic.org. "Surgery can create more space inside the spine. This can ease the symptoms caused by pressure on the spinal cord or nerves."

Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on January 1 due to complications pertaining to a December surgery for prostate cancer.

"Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III returned to work at the Pentagon today," a Pentagon press release noted on Monday. "The Secretary has been conducting his duties from home since his release from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 15, 2024."

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