Senate approves promotion for general involved in Afghanistan exit after a Republican blocked it
The Senate voted to approve the promotion of a general who oversaw troops in the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan, that had been held by Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Monday to approve the promotion of a general who oversaw troops during the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan, after it had been blocked by a Republican senator aligned with President-elect Donald Trump.
The Senate voted by unanimous consent, meaning all 100 senators agreed, to approve Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue's promotion to four-star general to oversee U.S. Army forces in Europe.
Sen Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., had blocked Donahue’s promotion, NBC News reported last month, citing a Senate aide. Though Mullin did not publicly explain his hold, it came as Trump has threatened to fire officials involved in the U.S.' chaotic exit from Afghanistan and as his transition team explores whether they can be court-martialed.
Mullin's hold was lifted ahead of the Senate's vote on Donahue on Monday night. His office did not provide comment on it.
Donahue, who was commander of the 82nd Airborne Division during the Kabul withdrawal in 2021, was the subject of a viral photograph as the last soldier to board a U.S. military plane out of Afghanistan.
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