Story perspectives

General Donahue Steps Down Amid Hegseth Officer Cuts

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

General Chris Donahue will relinquish command of Army Europe and Africa on July 2 2026 after a clash with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during officer exits under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will act as commanding general while a successor is chosen, according to Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a 20 percent cut in active-duty four-star generals and a 10 percent reduction in all general and flag officers.

History

Historical Context

After the 1991 Gulf War, President George H.W. Bush ordered a post-war drawdown that cut senior-officer billets and shrank the Navy from a 600-ship force to about 313 ships, saving billions. Decades later, the U.S. Army again faces a leadership cut, echoing the earlier reductions while the Iraqi Army, once disbanded in 2003, is still rebuilding after the 2014 ISIS collapse.

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Story summary

General Chris Donahue will relinquish command of Army Europe and Africa on July 2 2026 after a clash with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during officer exits under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will act as commanding general while a successor is chosen, according to Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a 20 percent cut in active-duty four-star generals and a 10 percent reduction in all general and flag officers.

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