A Republican senator is blocking the promotion of Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, the commander of U.S. troops in the final days of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, in what could be the first salvo in a Trump administration war against America’s generals.
Senator Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma, put a hold on General Donahue’s promotion to four stars, or general, after his nomination was sent to the Armed Services Committee last week, officials said.
Sabrina Singh, a spokeswoman for the Pentagon, told reporters on Monday that the Defense Department was “aware” of the hold.
General Donahue was the last American service member to depart Afghanistan as Taliban fighters took control on Aug. 31, 2021.
A decorated former Delta Force commander, Army Ranger and paratrooper with multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, he was recently selected to lead the U.S. Army’s Europe Command as the war in Ukraine heads into its fourth year.
Persons:
Christopher T, Donahue, Markwayne Mullin, General Donahue’s, Sabrina Singh, General Donahue
Organizations:
Republican, General, Armed Services Committee, Pentagon, Defense Department, Taliban, Delta Force, Army Ranger, Army’s, Command
Locations:
U.S, Afghanistan, Oklahoma, Iraq, Ukraine