Senator Blocks General's Promotion in Response to Afghanistan Withdrawal

An Army general who played a key role in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has had his promotion blocked by a Republican senator, according to information from a Senate aide.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma has placed a hold on the nomination of Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who was slated to be elevated to a four-star general and lead U.S. Army forces in Europe. Donahue’s nomination was part of a larger package of more than 900 military promotions submitted to the Senate, but Mullin’s action singled out his case.

This move aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s earlier threats to take action against senior leaders and officials who oversaw the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Trump’s transition team is reportedly evaluating the possibility of court-martial proceedings for some current and former officers involved, as previously reported by NBC News.

Symbolic Role in Afghanistan Withdrawal

Donahue, who currently commands the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, was the final U.S. service member to leave Afghanistan. A widely circulated night-vision photograph captured him boarding the last military aircraft departing Kabul, a symbolic image marking the end of the two-decade-long U.S. presence in the country.

In 2021, as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Donahue was tasked with overseeing the evacuation of American troops, embassy personnel, and Afghan allies following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.

Divided Reactions

Mullin’s office has not provided a comment on the decision. However, the move has sparked significant criticism. Retired Gen. Tony Thomas, former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, called the hold on Donahue’s promotion a “disgrace” and accused Mullin of using the general as a “political pawn.”

Heather Nauert, a former State Department spokesperson under Trump, voiced her disagreement with Mullin’s actions on social media. While acknowledging her support for Trump and Mullin, Nauert stated, “Unless there are facts I don’t know, holding up military promotions because of our disgraceful Afghanistan withdrawal is wrong.”

Uncertain Future for Promotion

With the Senate preparing to recess soon and a Republican-led Congress set to convene in 2025, Donahue’s promotion now faces uncertainty. His case highlights the ongoing political fallout from the Afghanistan withdrawal and the scrutiny faced by military leaders involved in the operation.