A highly respected four-star Army general is stepping down from his post commanding soldiers in Europe and is slated to retire. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa, is relinquishing command on July 2, a US Army spokeswoman confirmed.

Background

Donahue’s exit from the command coincides with the planned decision to lower the required rank for its chief from a four-star general to a three-star general and a series of moves by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to alter the US footprint in Europe.

Multiple sources told CNN that there has been tension between Hegseth’s office and Donahue’s command, though not necessarily directly between the two men. Donahue has commanded the Army’s elite Delta Force and served in various other special operations units throughout his career.

Future Plans

Donahue is not expected to officially retire for roughly two months, sources told CNN, leaving time for Hegseth to select him for a new job. Upon Donahue’s departure, US Army Europe and Africa will transition to a three-star command.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.