Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a "scheduled, elective, and minimally invasive" nonsurgical procedure Friday evening at Walter Reed Medical Center as a follow-up for a bladder issue he had earlier this year, the Pentagon said in a release.

The procedure was unrelated to Austin's cancer diagnosis.  

"During that period [Friday], Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks assumed the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense and served as the Acting Secretary of Defense. Secretary Austin subsequently resumed his functions and duties as the Secretary of Defense at 8:25 p.m. ET and has returned home," Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated in a release Friday night.

The Pentagon said the White House and Congress had been notified, and that Austin would be temporarily unable to perform his duties during the procedure. 

LLOYD AUSTIN GRILLED ABOUT LACK OF TRANSPARENCY

Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer and hospitalized in December and January, undergoing two surgeries, but didn't tell the White House for several days at the time. It took even longer for the public to find out. 

WHITE HOUSE ESTABLISHES GUIDELINES FOR CABINET NOTIFICATIONS FOLLOWING AUSTIN'S HOSPITALIZATION CONTROVERSY

The situation led to criticism of the Pentagon's lack of transparency and the White House established a new set of guidelines for when Cabinet heads are unable to do their job and have to delegate authority at the end of January. 

Some Republicans, including former President Trump, had called on Austin to resign.

Trump said on Truth Social in January that the defense secretary, "should be fired immediately for improper professional conduct and dereliction of duty. He has been missing for one week, and nobody, including his boss, Crooked Joe Biden, had a clue as to where he was or might be." 

The White House said that Austin maintained Biden's "full trust," and in February the defense secretary apologized for his lack of transparency. 

"I want to be crystal clear: We did not handle this right," he said at the time. "And I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people."

Austin was hospitalized again on Feb. 11 for a bladder issue weeks after he had returned to work following his hospitalizations for cancer treatment.  

The Pentagon added on Friday: "As highlighted in a Feb. 13 DoD news release, the Secretary’s bladder issue is not related to his cancer diagnosis and has had no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis. White House and congressional notifications have occurred."

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An update will be given following the procedure, the statement said.

Harrison Butker made his first public appearance since his Benedectine College commencement speech on Friday night, and showed zero regret.

The Kansas City Chiefs kicker appeared at the "Courage Under Fire Gala" in Nashville on Friday night, which was presented by the Regina Caeli Academy.

The academy "encourages our students to strive for excellence in academics as well as in virtuous living, self-discipline, and accountability through a classical education taught in light of the Catholic tradition," according to its website - Butker has been on the academy's board of directors since last year.

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Butker took the stage at the gala and received a rousing ovation before yet another speech in which he doubled down on his faith and his comments, despite the scrutiny he has faced since then.

"The theme for tonight’s gala, Courage Under Fire, was decided many months ago, but it now feels providential that this would be the theme after what we have all witnessed these last two weeks," Butker said. "If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now."

Butker said he understands that he has become a "more polarizing" figure the more he has spoken out about his beliefs - but he will never care what people think of him.

"Our love for Jesus, and thus, our desire to speak out, should never be outweighed by the longing of our fallen nature to be loved by the world. Glorifying God and not ourselves should always remain our motivation despite any pushback, or even support. I lean on those closest to me for guidance, but I can never forget that it is not people, but Jesus Christ who I’m trying to please."

CITY OF KANSAS CITY HAS 'SEPARATED' FROM EMPLOYEE WHO DOXXED HARRISON BUTKER FOLLOWING SPEECH, MAYOR SAYS

Butker added that he is "humbled" by the support he has received, and all the backlash he has suffered cannot compare to the "courage many saints have shown in their lives."

"If I constantly remind myself of the hardships the saints went through, especially the martyrs in their persecution, it makes it all seem not so bad. For if Heaven is our goal, we should embrace our cross, however large or small it may be, and live our life with joy to be a bold witness to Christ," Butker said.

VIEW WHOLE SPEECH HERE

"My hope is tonight’s theme and RCA’s mission will embolden others that many more will be unapologetic of their Catholic faith and never be afraid to speak out for truth, even when it goes against the loudest voices. In the end, being courageous starts with the small things. Being disliked and mischaracterized by some is nothing compared to finding yourself in a lion’s den."

In the commencement, Butker urged women graduates to embrace being a "homemaker" and criticized the LGBTQ community and President Biden for his stance on abortion.

In the speech, Butker added, "things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for the degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder."

Butker's jersey sales have since skyrocketed on NFL Shop, while many in the media remain split about the speech.

Butker played in his third Super Bowl this year with Kansas City, helping them go back-to-back in February.

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