Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to undergo procedure at Walter Reed, will transfer power to deputy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will undergo a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Friday evening and will transfer power temporarily to his deputy, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

Austin is continuing to deal with bladder issues that arose in December following his treatment for prostate cancer, Ryder said.

The procedure is elective and minimally invasive, "is not related to his cancer diagnosis and has had no effect on his exrcellent cancer prognosis," the press secretary said.

Austin will transfer authority to...