WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Republican senator has blocked the promotion of U.S. Military Lieutenant Common Christopher Donahue, who commanded the navy’s 82nd Airborne Division throughout the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and was the final American soldier to go away the nation in 2021.
A U.S. official, talking on situation of anonymity, stated the maintain had been positioned by Senator Markwayne Mullin, who didn’t reply to a request for touch upon why he blocked the promotion.
The Pentagon on Monday stated it was conscious of the maintain on Donahue, who had been nominated for a fourth star by President Joe Biden to guide the U.S. Military in Europe and Africa.
“We are aware that there is a hold on Lieutenant General Donahue,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh informed reporters.
President-elect Donald Trump and his allies have decried the USA’ navy withdrawal from Afghanistan and vowed to go after these liable for it. In August, Trump stated he would ask for the resignation of each senior official “who touched the Afghanistan calamity.”
“You have to fire people when they do a bad job. We never fire anybody,” Trump has stated.
Reuters has reported that Trump’s transition workforce is drawing up a listing of navy officers to be fired, in what can be an unprecedented shakeup on the Pentagon.
Whereas the picture of Donahue, carrying his rifle down by his aspect as he boarded the ultimate C-17 transport flight out of Afghanistan on in August 2021, has turn into synonymous with the chaotic withdrawal, he’s seen within the navy as one of the proficient Military leaders.
“The finest officer I ever served with, Chris Donahue is a generational leader who is now being held up for political purposes. At the tip of the spear defending this country for over three decades, he is now a political pawn,” Tony Thomas, the previous head of U.S. Particular Operations Command, posted on X.
Beneath Senate guidelines, one lawmaker can maintain up nominations even when the opposite 99 all need them to maneuver rapidly.
