Attorney General Merrick Garland will be indisposed this weekend due to back surgery and is taking proactive steps to ensure clarity regarding leadership during his absence.

The Biden administration’s top law enforcement official made an early announcement to preempt any potential criticism, drawing from the recent situation involving Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Austin faced backlash for not promptly informing colleagues and the White House about his hospitalization for prostate cancer surgery and subsequent complications.

Justice Department spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa stated on Monday that Garland is slated to undergo a “minimally invasive back procedure” this Saturday to address spinal stenosis, a condition characterized by the narrowing of spaces in vertebrae.

“The procedure requires general anesthesia and will last about 90 minutes. The Attorney General is likely to go home the same day,” Hinojosa said, Politico reported.

At the age of 71, Garland will delegate his responsibilities to the second-ranking official at the Justice Department, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, both during the surgery and the subsequent recovery period from anesthesia, according to Hinojosa.

It is anticipated that he will resume his duties the week following the procedure.

Written by B.C. Begley