Alliance defense
US General Donahue resigns: NATO “stronger than ever”
Updated on July 2, 2026 – 5:56 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
The commander of the US Army in Europe and Africa, General Donahue, says an early farewell – accompanied by a 17-gun salute. He leaves with words of appreciation for the allies in Europe.
After just 18 months, the commander of US land forces in Europe and Africa, General Christopher Donahue, has left his post Wiesbaden leave. In Hesse’s state capital, he initially handed over command to his deputy Christopher R. Norrie, accompanied by a 17-gun salute and the applause of several hundred soldiers. At the outdoor ceremony, next to flags and military jeeps, he said: “We will miss you. We can never thank you enough.”
An official successor to Donahue is not yet known. The 56-year-old is highly respected; In 2021 he was the last US soldier to leave Afghanistan. Now he is considered the latest example of high-ranking military officials being the US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth were fired – sometimes without justification.
Since Hegseth took office, several top military officers have been fired
The departure was initiated directly by the head of the Pentagon, who describes himself as the Secretary of War, several US media reports citing US officials. The Pentagon presents the personnel change as part of Hegseth’s restructuring of military leadership.
Donahue was considered one of the most respected generals in the US Army and was reportedly considered a promising candidate for leadership of the US Army. Since Hegseth took office, numerous top military officers have been fired or forced to withdraw.
From Estonia to Wiesbaden
Donahue also made a public appearance in Estonia on Tuesday. A new tactical headquarters for the protection of NATO’s eastern flank was launched there. There, Donahue positioned himself almost protectively of the European partners.
“I don’t have to tell anyone here that Europe has more responsibility than at any time in the last 35 years. It’s clear to me that you are ready to do more and put your words into action, and the United States will stand by you,” said Donahue a week before the NATO summit in Ankara. And the NATO is stronger today than ever before.” That sounds completely different to the US President’s constant criticism Donald Trump.
The “New York Times” and the “Washington Post” point out that Donahue had already publicly contradicted Republican allegations in 2023 that the US military was characterized by a “woke” ideology. However, it is unclear whether this statement played a role in the decision to leave Wiesbaden. Hegseth has made the fight against what he sees as “woke” – i.e. too left-liberal – structures and diversity programs in the military one of his central political concerns.
