The Defence Secretary has dismissed the commander of US Army Europe ahead of schedule
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed General Christopher Donahue from his post as Commander of US Army Europe ahead of schedule. The general is due to announce his resignation on Wednesday, according to the Financial Times.
Christopher Donahue is regarded as one of the most respected American military figures. He played a key role in US efforts to support Ukraine in the war against Russia.
His removal comes two months after the dismissal of the US Army Chief of Staff, General Randy George. That decision had sparked discontent among the US military leadership at the time.
Donaghy’s resignation comes as the Pentagon prepares for changes to the structure of military command in Europe. At the same time, US President Donald Trump is stepping up pressure on European allies to take on greater responsibility for defence and support for Ukraine.
General Donaghy holds the rank of four-star general and has served in Iraq, Syria and other combat zones. He is also known as the last American military officer to leave Afghanistan following the completion of the troop withdrawal in 2021, as decided by then-President Joe Biden.
No official reason was given for his dismissal. Meanwhile, Pete Hagset has repeatedly criticised the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and has called for an inquiry into those events.
According to the Financial Times, the decision to dismiss Donaghy was the latest in a series of personnel changes at the Pentagon. Over the past 18 months, Pete Hagseth has removed dozens of high-ranking officers, including the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General CQ Brown, and Admiral Lisa Franchetti.
US Air Force General Timothy Haugh, who headed the US National Security Agency and US Cyber Command, was also dismissed. Promotions for some other high-ranking officers were also blocked without any public explanation.
Christopher Donaghy is expected to officially end his military service in July.
