Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, known for being the last American soldier out of Kabul, Afghanistan, was quietly confirmed by the Senate to lead U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa. President Biden had nominated Donahue for the promotion to four-star general, but the confirmation was delayed due to one senator holding it back. Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma, a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, was rumored to be responsible for the hold. Donahue had led the 82nd Airborne Division during the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan before the country fell to the Taliban, but no one has been held accountable for the tragic events that took place.
Mullin had criticized Donahue, along with other officials, for the lack of accountability in the aftermath of the suicide bombing attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport, where 13 U.S. service members and numerous Afghan civilians were killed. Despite the criticism, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper defended Donahue’s nomination, stating that the responsibility for the withdrawal lies with the White House and not with military leaders who were carrying out orders. President Trump had promised to fire senior officers involved in the withdrawal, but Donahue’s confirmation was ultimately approved by the Senate by unanimous consent after the hold was lifted.
Donahue, who has led the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty, North Carolina since 2022, previously served as the leader of the Special Operations Joint Task Force Afghanistan and the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s deputy director for special operations and counterterrorism. He played a crucial role in securing the airfield at Kabul airport during the evacuation efforts. Despite Senator Mullin’s initial hold on the confirmation, there has been no public comment from him regarding the decision to drop the hold and confirm Donahue.
President Biden’s administration has faced significant criticism for the handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, with some calling for accountability for the tragic events that unfolded during the evacuation. The confirmation of Donahue to lead U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa comes after a period of uncertainty, with one senator initially blocking the promotion. Donahue’s role in the final days of the withdrawal from Afghanistan has been highlighted, but the lack of accountability for the events that transpired continues to be a point of contention.
