At Armed Forces Press, sometimes we like to wait and respond to a military event after watching all the talking heads rally to the blob talking points, then we drop our real analysis.
This time is no different.
The Financial Times reports that Pentagon chief Hagseth is dismissing General Christopher Donahue, who coordinated military aid to Ukraine. The commander of the US Army in Europe and Africa will soon be forced to leave his post - he will complete his service in July.
To properly opine on the resignation of General Chris Donahue, U.S. Army, we should provide some history of our writing on the subject. Please see the multiple articles below. There are more but this is a good representation of our work.
LTG Chris Donahue Should Be Investigated For Racist Actions in Kabul (2021)
GEN DONAHUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED, NOT PROMOTED
WHY WAS GEN CHRIS DONAHUE ALLOWING FT LIBERTY TO LABLE CHRISTIANS AS TERRORISTS?
ON WW3 EVE, WHY IS UNETHICAL GENERAL DONAHUE IN CHARGE?
In short, we are not a fan. In our author's viewpoint, General Donahue failed the honor test in the field on multiple fronts.
You wouldn't know that by listening to the talking heads in the 'America's Over' movement. You know who they are. The narrative being created that there is drama in the Department of War and the resignation of General Donahue shows a lack of military readiness by 'getting rid of good people' for Trump's ego, or Hegseth's pride, is absurd.
We had some other sources also opine today, and we thought we'd share:
"He’s not a supporter of the new policies from what I’ve heard AND he was JFLCC at the Kabul airport but never took control of Abby gate, the Marine GO had it. Explains the fucked up c2," said a retired senior office familiar with the situation.
"Good riddance," said another.
Another officer who worked under Donahue said, The bottom line is "he's the face of our failure in Afghanistan when he commanded the 82nd Airborne Division during the withdrawal. He was not the last set of boots on the ground, even the C-17 Aircrew member got on the aircraft after him. He staged the picture and had it taken three times before he was satisfied. When he was a new one star I was working in the 1st ID Command group where he and Kuriilla showed up at the same time. Paul Funk was the Division Commander. I suspect it's easier to retire by "choice" then when you don't have a choice anymore.
Another former Delta Force officer seconded the history described in the articles above, and surmised the downgrading of Donahue's command to a three star position also was material in his decision to resign.
At the end of the day, it seems the reason for the decision to suggest the General find another line of work, was the perception he fit the model of an 'Obama' general that was not a war-fighter, but a rank climber.
In Pete Hegseth's Pentagon, that's enough to end a career real quick.
Why did Hegseth remove Admiral Lacore? She was in 35 years so way overdue for retirement as most senior officers retire by 32 years. Was there anything specific that you can cite about her performance?