Pentagon Defense Minister Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on January 1 after experiencing severe pain following a routine medical procedure. He remains in the hospital but has fully resumed his duties, according to Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder during a briefing. Ryder explained that Austin underwent a scheduled medical procedure on December 22, 2023, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. While in the hospital, he delegated some operational responsibilities to the Deputy Defense Minister. The Defense Minister was discharged on December 23, continuing to work from home throug…