WASHINGTON – The Senate voted Monday to promote the general overseeing the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul in Afghanistan. It was blocked by a Republican senator with President-elect Donald Trump.
The Senate voted unanimously, meaning all 100 senators approved the promotion of Army Gen. Christopher Donahue to the rank of four-star general to oversee US military forces in Europe.
Donahue’s promotion to Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., was reported last month by NBC News, citing a Senate aide. was blocked by Although Mullin has not made his position public, it comes as Trump threatens to fire officials involved in the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the president-elect’s transition team. is investigating whether they can be court-martialed.
Mullin’s detention was lifted before the Senate voted on Donahue Monday night, but his office would not comment.
Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division during the 2021 Kabul retreat, was the subject. A viral photo of the last soldier boarding a US military plane out of Afghanistan.
Republicans in Congress did multiple auditions During President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, and particularly the evacuation of US troops, embassy staff, and Afghans assisting American forces in Kabul. In August 2021, an Islamic State suicide bombing at Abbey Gate leading to Kabul Airport killed 13 American service members.
Moment 2022 inspector general report He found that both Biden and Trump’s decisions contributed to the problematic exit from Afghanistan.