The US Senate on Monday confirmed the promotion of Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue, who served as commander in Afghanistan during the US withdrawal, after being briefly blocked by a Republican senator.
Senator Markwayne Mullin had blocked Mr. Donahue’s nomination to the post of four-star general and commander in chief of the American army in Europe.
President-elect Donald Trump and his allies have denounced the withdrawal of the US military from Afghanistan in 2021 and vowed to go after those responsible. During his re-election campaign, Mr. Trump said in August that he would seek the resignation of all senior officials “who touched the calamity of Afghanistan.”
Mr. Donahue was confirmed Monday by unanimous consent, as part of numerous collectively approved military promotions. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr. Donahue commanded the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division during the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and was the last American soldier to leave the country during the evacuation of American forces in August 2021.
Although the image of Donahue, carrying his rifle at his side as he boarded the last C-17 transport flight leaving Afghanistan, has become synonymous with the chaotic withdrawal, he is seen within the military as the one of the most talented commanders.
Under Senate rules, one lawmaker can delay nominations even if the other 99 want them to move quickly.
Swiss
