(FreePressBeacon.com) – In a surprise development with huge repercussions, the promotion of Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue is now delayed due to Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin’s blockade, spotlighting the political aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021.
See photos of Senator Mullin and Lt. Gen. Donahue in the tweet below!
As the last American military service member to leave Afghanistan, Donahue’s leadership has fueled intense political debate.
Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue’s leadership during the final days of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan has earned both admiration and criticism.
Commanding the 82nd Airborne Division, Donahue was the last American service member to step out of Afghanistan on August 31, 2021.
However, his subsequent promotion to a four-star general has been stalled by Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma.
Senator Mullin’s blocking of Donahue’s promotion comes amid calls by President-elect Donald Trump to hold senior officers involved in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal accountable.
Some find it a rightful retribution, yet others see it as political revenge.
Trump’s transition team is considering court-martialing those officers, raising questions on accountability for military leaders who simply carried out orders.
General Donahue, with a distinguished military career, is at the forefront of these developments.
A decorated Delta Force commander, Army Ranger, and paratrooper, his newfound role was set to be leading the U.S. Army’s Europe Command amidst the dynamic conflict in Ukraine.
Nonetheless, his promotion lingers at a time when congressional shifts could further delay or even jeopardize his advancement.
“Unless there are facts I don’t know, holding up military promotions because of our disgraceful Afghanistan withdrawal is wrong,” commented Heather Nauert, who worked for the State Department in Trump’s first presidential term, cited by NBC News.
Supporters of Donahue, including prominent military figures like Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., argue that blocking his promotion undermines his contributions and sacrifices.
With threats of court-martial from Trump’s team led by Pete Hegseth, it is unclear if this move against Donahue aligns with American values of fairness, especially when considering his decorated service record and the introduction to future leadership roles.
Similar sentiments echo across the armed forces community, highlighting the complexities of attributing blame by such measures.
Meanwhile, Donahue remains the commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty.
Retired Gen. Tony Thomas described the block on Donahue’s promotion as a “disgrace” and a misuse of the general as a “political pawn.”
Good- More should join -Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue
who oversaw the 82nd Airborne Div during deadly 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan, should not be promoted to general.GOP senator blocks promotion of top general who oversaw Afghanistan withdrawal.https://t.co/fp2DvW9vi0 pic.twitter.com/MtG4VEtOmC
— Blanche Victoria (@tammytabby) November 22, 2024
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