Soldiers perform drill movements in front of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, in this undated photo. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis this weekend raised concerns over rumors that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to downgrade USAREUR-AF from a four-star to a three-star command in the midst of a troop drawdown in Europe. (U.S. Army Europe and Africa/X)
A Republican lawmaker on Capitol Hill lashed out over the weekend at Pentagon leadership, saying a troop reduction in Europe and what he called efforts to push aside a top Army commander are putting the military on “a dangerous path.”
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said Saturday that Gen. Christopher Donahue, the leader of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, could be the latest high-level commander to be pushed aside by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“If the rumors are true that Hegseth is trying to sideline General Chris Donahue, one of our nation’s finest warfighters, by downgrading U.S. Army Europe-Africa to a three-star command, he is taking another step down a dangerous path,” Tillis said.
In a lengthy statement on X, Tillis accused “Hegseth and his political henchmen” of forcing out some of the military’s “finest general officers.” He also praised Donahue’s military record and leadership.
“Hegseth would do well to surround himself with more patriots like General Donahue and to get his henchmen, who are not qualified to carry Donahue’s bag, out of the Pentagon,” Tillis said. “Keep your word, Mr. Secretary: choose meritocracy over your mediocre yes-men.”
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to questions Sunday related to Tillis’ comments and the possible downgrade of Donahue’s command.
However, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told News of the United States, or NOTUS, on Friday that no decisions have been made regarding any future command structure changes.
The Pentagon won’t comment further on any senior military positions or potential force posture adjustments, Parnell said in a statement to the media outlet.
The Defense Department plans to downgrade USAREUR-AF to a three-star command by mid-summer, citing five people familiar with the deliberations, NOTUS reported Friday Such a move could affect Donahue, who has led USAREUR-AF for less than two years.
Over the past year, Hegseth has sought to shrink the number of generals and admirals serving in top posts as part of broader changes to the military’s leadership structure.
The Pentagon has also moved to reduce the rank tied to certain headquarters. For example, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa last year went from a four-star command to three stars.
The Army’s headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, has also seen command structural changes. The position of deputy commander, which was previously held by a three-star lieutenant general, is now occupied by a two-star major general.
Such changes raise questions about whether USAREUR-AF is next in line for bigger adjustments.
The talk surrounding Donahue comes at a time of upheaval in the Army. Last month, Hegseth fired Gen. Randy George, the service’s chief of staff, before his tenure had expired.
George’s job is currently being filled on an acting basis by Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who was confirmed as the Army’s vice chief in January after serving as Hegseth’s senior military adviser.
It is not clear who will replace George on a permanent basis, though both LaNeve and Donahue are widely viewed as possible contenders.
Upon taking command of USAREUR-AF in December 2024, Donahue was described by his then-boss as “almost like a comic book action hero.”
“Without a doubt, the most experienced warfighter we have in the U.S. Army,” said Gen. Chris Cavoli, then the head of U.S. European Command, during the change of command ceremony, citing Donahue’s more than 20 deployments across nearly every major U.S. military operation of the past three decades.
Donahue’s ascent to the top Army post in Europe faced political resistance in 2024 when former Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., put a hold on his nomination, drawing criticism from several retired senior commanders.
A famous grainy nighttime photo of Donahue, the last U.S. service member out of Afghanistan in 2021, became associated with the political fight over former President Joe Biden’s messy withdrawal from the country.
Donahue and his contingent of 82nd Airborne paratroopers were brought in during the final phase of the withdrawal to provide added security as the situation in Kabul rapidly deteriorated.
