Another Senior US General Resigns Amid Turmoil in Trump Administration
Gen. Christopher Donahue stepped down as commander of US Army Europe and Africa amid reported disagreements with Defense Secretary Hegseth, fueling concerns over continued upheaval within the Pentagon
United States, PUREWILAYAH.COM – Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of the US Army in Europe and Africa, resigned from his post on Thursday, handing over command to Gen. Alexus Grynkewich during a ceremony at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany.
According to Russian-language media cited by Mehr News Agency, Donahue’s resignation comes amid reported disagreements with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has been pursuing sweeping changes within the Pentagon.
Donahue, who was nominated to the position by former President Joe Biden, served only about 18 months in the role—considerably shorter than the usual tenure for the post. His military career included commanding the elite Delta Force and the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.
Pentagon Shake-Up Continues
The resignation comes as Hegseth continues restructuring the Pentagon and reportedly seeks to remove officers and generals unwilling to carry out what the report described as his “unusual, unprecedented, and unlawful orders,” including military aggression against Iran.
The Pentagon had previously announced the resignation of John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy, while Fox News recently reported the departure of the head of the US Border Patrol.
Although US military officials confirmed Donahue’s resignation last week, speculation has grown that political considerations may have influenced his decision. An unnamed Pentagon official, however, claimed the resignation was a personal choice and insisted that Donahue had not been pressured to leave.
Germany’s DPA news agency reported that the Pentagon declined to comment on the resignation. The move is nevertheless seen as consistent with Hegseth’s policy of reducing the number of generals appointed during the Biden administration and downsizing the military command structure.
Europe Command Downgraded
Gen. Grynkewich also announced that, alongside the leadership transition, the position of commander of the US Army in Europe and Africa has been downgraded from a four-star to a three-star command.
The change could reduce the new commander’s authority in dealing with NATO commanders and affect the broader US military command structure in Europe.
The developments have raised concerns among some retired US military officials and Washington’s European allies over the possibility of a gradual reduction in the American military presence on the continent.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Hegseth ordered the withdrawal of around 5,000 US troops from Germany, a move that followed President Donald Trump’s criticism of NATO members for what he described as excessive reliance on US military capabilities and insufficient support for Washington’s policies.
According to US Army figures released in mid-April, approximately 86,000 US troops are stationed across Europe, including nearly 39,000 personnel in Germany. (PW)