Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, will unexpectedly step down after 18 months. His departure follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's initiative to reduce the military's top brass and amid President Trump's push to withdraw troops from Europe.
The unexpected departure of a high-ranking general, particularly one with Donahue's prominent role and history, signals significant shifts within the U.S. military leadership and its strategic posture in Europe, potentially impacting NATO dynamics and defense spending priorities.
Gen. Christopher Donahue, the commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, is unexpectedly stepping down from his post after just 18 months. The Army confirmed his departure, stating he will relinquish command on July 2.
Donahue's exit marks him as the latest in a series of nearly two dozen top military leaders to retire or leave their positions early. This trend is occurring under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has initiated an effort to reduce the number of senior military officials, guided by the principle of "less generals, more GIs."
Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, Donahue's deputy, will temporarily assume his duties. Donahue, a West Point graduate and career special operations commander, previously led Delta Force units and the 82nd Airborne division. He was notably in command of security at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
His departure comes as the Army is reportedly discussing downgrading the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command from a four-star to a three-star position. This potential change aligns with ongoing criticism from Secretary Hegseth regarding European allies' defense contributions. Hegseth recently announced a six-month review of American forces in Europe, aimed at encouraging NATO allies to assume greater responsibility for continental defense.
The withdrawal from Afghanistan, which Donahue oversaw, has been a frequent point of political criticism and is currently under a new Pentagon review, despite previous extensive examinations by various government bodies. Donahue's leadership during the evacuation had received bipartisan praise, and he was considered a strong candidate for higher military positions.