Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, leads a reenlistment ceremony for approximately 40 U.S. Army and U.S. Navy service members at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 2026, during D-Day 82 commemorative events. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Osburn)
WASHINGTON — Gen. Christopher Donahue, the Army’s top general in Europe, will step down from his role come next week after serving less than two years in the position, marking the latest senior officer to leave the military under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s tenure.
“Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and commander of NATO’s Allied Land Command, will relinquish command on July 2, 2026,” Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith told Breaking Defense in a statement today, adding that Donahue’s deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, will take up Donahue’s duties.
“The Army thanks Gen. Donahue for his leadership of U.S. Army Europe and Africa,” the spokesperson continued.
The service did not provide a reason for Donahue’s surprise departure, but media outlets reported that the former Delta Force commander had fallen out of favor with Hegseth. The defense secretary has also sought to greatly curtail the number of senior officers throughout the military. The Atlantic was the first to report on the news of Donahue’s upcoming departure.
