General’s promotion blocked in first sign of Trump’s retaliation over Afghanistan withdrawal

A Republican senator blocked the promotion of a general who oversaw troops in Kabul as the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, according to a Senate aide.

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s move follows a threat by President-elect Donald Trump to fire senior officers and officials who oversaw the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. It also comes as Trump’s transition team is considering possible proceedings before a military court against current and former officials involved in the recall, as previously reported by NBC News.

Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue has been nominated for promotion to four-star general and overseeing U.S. Army forces in Europe. His nomination was among more than 900 proposed nominations sent to the Senate, but Donahue’s nomination was held up by Sen. Mullin, according to a Senate aide.

Mullin’s office declined to comment.

Donahue was the last American soldier to be aboard the last U.S. military plane out of Afghanistan in 2021. Night vision photography a photo of Donahue boarding a cargo plane went viral, symbolizing the end of America’s 20-year war.

After the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan fell to Taliban fighters, Donahue — then commander of the 82nd Airborne Division — was ordered to Kabul to oversee the withdrawal of U.S. forces, U.S. embassy personnel and Afghans who had been fighting alongside U.S. troops.

Retired Gen. Tony Thomas, former head of Special Operations Command, wrote in a social media post that the decision was a “disgrace” and that Donahue was treated as a “political pawn.”

Heather Nauert, who worked at the State Department during Trump’s first presidential term, stated in a social media post that she was a Trump supporter and liked Senator Mullin, but disagreed with withholding Donahue’s promotion.

“Unless there are facts that I do not know, it is inappropriate to withhold military promotions because of our shameful withdrawal from Afghanistan,” she wrote.

Donahue is currently the commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

His promotion may now be in jeopardy as the current Senate will soon go into recess and the new Republican-controlled Congress will begin its work in 2025.