Gen. Christopher Donahue’s 2024 promotion was briefly delayed in Senate

In short: The Senate briefly delayed Gen. Christopher T. Donahue’s promotion to four-star general in 2024, before approving it and allowing him to take a top Army post in Europe and Africa.

What happened

Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, a long-serving U.S. Army officer, was nominated in November 2024 to be promoted to four-star general and to lead U.S. Army Europe-Africa. That job oversees Army forces working with allies across Europe and Africa.

His nomination was temporarily blocked by a “Senate hold.” A Senate hold is like putting a pause on a decision so senators can ask questions or seek more information before a vote.

In this case, the hold was tied to questions about Donahue’s role in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The available reporting supports the delay related to Afghanistan, but it does not directly support the separate claim that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth personally viewed Donahue with skepticism.

Donahue’s background includes being commissioned from West Point in 1992 and serving in elite Army and special operations roles. He later commanded major units including the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps. In those roles, he was involved in parts of the U.S. response after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Senate ultimately approved Donahue’s promotion. He assumed command of U.S. Army Europe-Africa in December 2024.

Why it matters

Top military promotions can be slowed down by politics, especially when lawmakers want answers about past decisions. That can affect how quickly the military fills key leadership jobs during ongoing conflicts and security crises.

Source: NYTimes