As the Pentagon announced a re-evaluation of the U.S. military presence in Europe, another four-star general was removed from his position ahead of time.
American CBS television station reported on the 23rd that Chris Donahue, the U.S. Army Commander for Europe and Africa and a four-star general, has submitted his resignation. He will ‘abandon his command’ on July 2, becoming another high-ranking U.S. military officer who has resigned early due to conflicts with Defense Secretary James Mattis. The Financial Times also reported that Donahue left his position under the ‘pressure’ of Mattis.
According to reports, the U.S. Army confirmed this personnel change in a statement, stating that Christopher Norrie, Donaldson’s deputy, will ‘assume the duties of the Commander-in-Chief’.
Donahue graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as a commander of the Delta Force and a commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. He had served in regions such as Iraq and Syria. After former U.S. President Biden ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021, Donahue became the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan.
Sources told CBS that it had long been believed that Donahue would eventually become the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and serve in the military for several years. The news of his impending resignation deeply affected many U.S. military personnel who have always respected him.
Former U.S. Special Envoy Brett McGurk, who was in charge of joint operations against the extremist group ISIS during the Obama administration and the first Trump administration, said: “Donahue is one of the most influential commanders among his contemporaries.”
A colleague described Donahue as a “courageous and innovative leader who can empathize with the most experienced special operations officers, as well as build a close bond with ordinary soldiers. He is deeply respected by everyone.”
In 2021, Donahue boarded a C-17 transport aircraft at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport, becoming the last U.S. soldier to be evacuated from Afghanistan. United States Central Command
It is currently unclear why Hagerseeth decided to dismiss Donahue. However, Hagerseeth has publicly criticized the way the Biden administration handled the withdrawal of troops, and has ordered an investigation into the circumstances behind the withdrawal.
According to an anonymous source cited by the Associated Press, Donahue's resignation came at a time when the U.S. Army was discussing downgrading the U.S. Army commands in Europe and Africa from 'Four-Star' combat commands to 'Three-Star' combat commands. It also happened during a period of continuous criticism from Haggess against European allies.
On the 18th, Hagee told NATO allies that he would re-evaluate the military presence of U.S. forces in Europe within six months. This move is "intended to ensure that NATO develops rapidly and irreversibly in a direction led by Europe and taking on the main responsibilities for European defense."
CBS reported that since Trump returned to the White House, several senior military generals and officials have resigned. In April of this year, Haggesssey dismissed the four-star general and Army Chief of Staff Randy George, as well as Army General David Hodden and Army Major General William Green.
After Haggis was appointed as the Defense Secretary, he spearheaded a major reform of the Department of Defense. Many senior military officers were dismissed or retired early, including Charles Brown, who was then the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Timothy E. Rayburn, the Director of the National Security Agency and Commander of the Cyber Command; Lisa Franchetti, the Undersecretary for Operations; Linda Ferguson, the Commander of the Coast Guard; and Jennifer Short, the Senior Military Assistant to the Defense Secretary.
