Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin has blocked the promotion of Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who oversaw the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Donahue, nominated for a promotion to four-star general and commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe, had his nomination put on hold by Mullin, according to a Senate aide. This move follows threats from President-elect Donald Trump to remove senior officials involved in the chaotic pullout and discussions within Trump’s transition team about potential court-martial proceedings for those responsible.
Donahue, who was the last American service member to board the final U.S. plane out of Kabul, was tasked with overseeing the evacuation of U.S. forces, embassy staff, and Afghan allies. His role during the withdrawal became a symbol of the end of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan.
Retired Gen. Tony Thomas condemned Mullin’s decision, calling it a “disgrace” and accusing Donahue of being used as a political pawn. Heather Nauert, a former State Department official and Trump supporter, also disagreed with the hold, stating that blocking military promotions over the Afghanistan withdrawal was unjust unless new facts emerged.
Donahue, currently commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, faces uncertainty regarding his promotion, especially with the Senate set to go into recess and a new Republican-majority Congress taking office in 2025.
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