Senator questions Pentagon secretary's motive in General Donahue's retirement

Sen. Tim Kaine told CBS News on Sunday that the abrupt retirement of Army Gen. Christopher Donahue appeared to be driven by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s personal animus toward the Army. Kaine asked, “Are you pushing out the truth tellers to surround yourself by yes-men? And in particular, it looks like the secretary is coming down hardest… on the Army,” and added that the decision raised questions about whether it served national interests.

Donahue, a former Delta Force commander who led U.S. Army Europe and Africa for 18 months, submitted his retirement papers after a reported clash with Hegseth, according to CBS News. The Army announced he would relinquish command on July 2 and be succeeded by his deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie. NATO’s Allied Land Command will also see a change in acting leadership.

A Pentagon spokesperson said senior officers serve at the pleasure of the President and the secretary, emphasizing that such personnel actions are within established authority. Kaine noted that the defense appropriations bill currently under Senate consideration does not address the issue, but he expects further debate on the floor could lead to bipartisan measures to add oversight.

Hegseth, who has overseen multiple senior-level dismissals since taking office, has faced criticism for removing officials across services and for allegedly blocking promotions of Black and female officers. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis described the removal of Gen. Donahue as an “unforced error.”