Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) is placing a hold on the promotion of Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, effectively blocking his increase in rank. Lt. Gen. Donahue has been nominated for a four-star general position, but the hold by Mullin is delaying the process after the nomination reached the Armed Services Committee last week. Gen. Donahue was the military officer in command of the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, which saw 13 American soldiers lose their lives.
The National Pulse reported earlier this month that President-elect Donald J. Trump is considering a court martial for top military officials involved in the deadly withdrawal. However, the legal basis for such charges remains unclear, as the officers adhered to orders from Joe Biden, who authorized the withdrawal.
Biden’s Pentagon spokeswoman, Sabrina Singh, confirmed that the Defense Department is aware of the situation. Donahue was recently selected to lead the U.S. Army’s Europe Command as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine extends into its fourth year.
The nomination hold adds to the controversy surrounding the U.S. exit from Afghanistan under outgoing President Biden. Senator Mullin has openly criticized the 82-year-old Democrat president’s withdrawal strategy.
Donahue has been considered a potential future candidate for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the top military position in the United States.