Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly fired a highly-respected four-star general due to an obsession with a photograph he mistakenly believed was a "selfie," according to senior Pentagon officials. General Christopher Donahue, 57, was pictured as the last service member to depart Afghanistan in August 2021, following a deadly attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
The image, captured by an army photographer using a night-vision device at 11:59 p.m. on August 30, 2021, showed Donahue boarding the final plane leaving the area just before the U.S. withdrawal deadline. The photograph quickly went viral online.
Just four days prior to the withdrawal, an ISIS suicide bomber killed 13 American service members and at least 170 Afghans at the Kabul airport. The incident drew sharp criticism, with then-President Donald Trump dubbing it "the most embarrassing moment in the history of the United States."
Donahue had been involved in negotiations with the Taliban to ensure safe passage for Americans and allies during the chaotic evacuation. He had partnered with a Taliban commander to counter the shared threat from the Islamic State group. The general had expressed concerns about the risks associated with the Abbey Gate, which was identified as a prime target for the terror group and was under Marine control before being handed over to Donahue's troops.
Following the deadly attack at Abbey Gate, which resulted in the deaths of eleven Marines, a Navy medic, an Army soldier, and numerous Afghans, Donahue boarded the final flight out of the country. Upon landing in Qatar, he learned the image of him boarding the plane had already circulated globally. He reportedly told his wife, "This is not good."
Sources told The New York Times that Hegseth became fixated on the photo, misidentifying it as a selfie and expressing a desire to "clean house" among the military's leadership. When Joe Kasper, Hegseth's chief of staff, attempted to clarify that the photo was not a selfie and that the Marines were in charge of the gate during the attack, Hegseth allegedly responded, "I don't care."
Donahue, described as a well-respected general with extensive combat experience from over 20 deployments, was a candidate for a senior leadership position. However, Hegseth reportedly was determined to remove him. Despite efforts from others, including Republican Senator Tim Sheehy, to support Donahue, Hegseth allegedly dodged or rescheduled meetings concerning the general's future.
General Donahue retired on August 27, 2021. Reports suggest Hegseth has been instrumental in the dismissal or stalled promotions of approximately 80 high-ranking U.S. officers.