Susanna Riva General Christopher T. Donahue, known for being the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan, has left the Army under controversial circumstances. His departure is linked to a decision by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, which has sparked widespread criticism within the Army.
Donahue, a general respected and admired by his peers, has been at the center of an internal debate that has also involved senior Pentagon officials and members of Congress.
His career, marked by numerous successful missions, ended unexpectedly, leaving many questions unanswered.
The photo that sparked the controversy
It all started with a photo taken on August 30 at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport. Donahue, 57, was captured boarding a military plane, one minute before the deadline for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan expired.
The photo, taken with an iPhone and a night vision monocular, has gone viral.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and current Defense Secretary, expressed strong displeasure with the image, mistakenly calling it a "selfie." This incident triggered a series of events that led to Donahue's dismissal. The photo was taken four days after an ISIS member's suicide bombing that killed 13 American soldiers and at least 170 Afghans, an event Hegseth mistakenly associated with Donahue.
The reactions and consequences
Hegseth's decision to remove Donahue sparked widespread backlash within the military and Congress. Republican Senator Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, expressed his support for Donahue, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll also attempted to intervene, but to no avail.
On September 2, 2026, Driscoll announced his resignation, marking another chapter in the controversy. Hegseth, who never achieved a rank higher than major, dismissed or blocked the promotions of approximately 80 of the Army's highest-ranking officers, representing approximately 10 percent of the officer corps.
The Future of the Army and the Implications
The decision to remove Donahue has raised questions about the future of the military and Hegseth's policies. Many see Donahue as a key strategist in preparing for future wars, and his departure could have significant consequences.
Donahue's retirement ceremony was held at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in late August. Despite the controversy, Donahue was honored as a hero among heroes, a once-in-a-generation general . His legacy and contributions to the Army remain unforgettable.