Us News

Gen. Chris Donahue set to retire, in latest departure by top military official

Gen. Chris Donahue had clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, multiple sources told CBS News.

Published June 24, 2026, 12:41 AM
Updated June 24, 2026, 1:09 AM700
Share𝕏f
Gen. Chris Donahue set to retire, in latest departure by top military official

By

/ CBS News

Add CBS News on Google

Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, has submitted his retirement papers, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation, marking the latest high-level officer to leave the military during the second Trump administration.

Donahue had clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, multiple sources told CBS News. 

Donahue is a West Point graduate, former Delta Force commander and former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. He helped lead security for the evacuation of the Afghan capital of Kabul in 2021, and was perhaps best known for being the last American soldier out of Afghanistan when he boarded the final U.S. aircraft departing Kabul.

The Atlantic was first to report Donahue's departure.

CBS News has reached out to the military for comment.

This is a breaking story; it will be updated.

Hegseth ousts Army chief of staff in latest purge

Hegseth ousts Army chief of staff in latest Pentagon purge 04:25

Hegseth ousts Army chief of staff in latest Pentagon purge

(04:25)

Share𝕏f
News17 is committed to delivering accurate, fair, and thoroughly researched reporting. If you believe this article contains an error, please contact our editorial team at corrections@news17.net. We take all reports seriously and will issue corrections promptly when warranted.