President Joe Biden quietly promoted Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue to full general on Monday, following a prolonged delay attributed to his involvement in the Biden administration’s contentious withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Donahue, who commanded the 82nd Airborne Division during the chaotic evacuation, oversaw the operation that left billions of dollars of military equipment in Taliban hands and resulted in widespread criticism.
The Senate ultimately approved his promotion after at least one senator reportedly dropped their objections, according to Politico.
Donahue’s promotion was not included in a larger package of military nominations approved by the Senate before Thanksgiving, highlighting opposition within the chamber.
Reports suggest that Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a vocal critic of the Afghanistan withdrawal, was among those who initially blocked the advancement.
Mullin has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the withdrawal, describing it as a failure that compromised American security and global credibility.
His resistance to Donahue’s promotion underscores ongoing frustration within Republican ranks about the military’s role in the controversial operation.
As commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Donahue was tasked with overseeing the evacuation of Americans and Afghan allies from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. The