Pete Hegseth became so obsessed with a 'selfie' that he had a highly-respected four-star general FIRED

- See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired a well-respected 'once-in-a-generation' general after becoming obsessed with what he thought was a 'selfie' that saw the general plastered across the internet. asserted

General Christopher Donahue, 57, was pictured by an army photographer as the last soldier to leave Afghanistan following a deadly attack by a lone ISIS suicide-bomber. asserted

The grainy-green photo saw the general as the final service member, as is Army tradition, to board the final plane leaving the area. asserted

He was captured by an army photographer using their cellphone and a night-vision device at 11.59pm on August 30, 2021 – just one minute before the agreed deadline for Americans to withdraw from Afghanistan, The New York Times reported. asserted

The photo would be catapulted onto the internet and quickly go viral before Hegseth, who mistakenly labeled the picture a 'selfie,' would become fixated on it, senior Pentagon officials told the outlet. asserted

Just four days beforehand, an ISIS suicide-bomber had killed 13 American service members and at least 170 Afghans in an attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. asserted

President Donald Trump, on his 2024 campaign trail, slammed former President Joe Biden for the withdrawal and the attack on the airport, dubbing the incident 'the most embarrassing moment in the history of the United States.' He also questioned why no one had been reprimanded over the attack, the Times reported. asserted

General Christopher Donahue, 57, was pictured by an army photographer as the last soldier to leave Afghanistan following a deadly attack by a lone ISIS suicide-bomber Donahue was captured by an army photographer using their cellphone and a night-vision device at 11.59pm on August 30, 2021 - just one minute before the agreed deadline for Americans to withdraw from Afghanistan The very photo would be catapulted onto the internet and quickly go viral before Hegseth, who mistakenly labeled the picture a 'selfie,' would become fixated on it In February 2020, Trump had made a deal with the Taliban for the final withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan following a near two-decade war sparked after the September 11 attacks in New York City. Eighteen months later, Afghanistan's president fled the country and its government collapsed – leaving Afghan forces dissolved, the Times reported. asserted

Donahue was called back to Kabul on August 17, where he met with Qari Hamdullah Mokhlis, a Taliban commander who had been a primary target of the general's commandos since 2020. asserted

The two made an agreement to form a partnership, with paratroopers recalling Donahue's words to the Taliban commander as: 'You don't like me; I don't like you. asserted

But we're going to have to work together,' according to the outlet. uncertain

Both recognized their biggest threat lay with the Islamic State terror group, which was plotting to turn the US withdrawal into an opportunity to attack, US intelligence had determined. asserted

While the US military would take charge of the airport and its entry gates, commanders wanted the Taliban, with checkpoints surrounding the airport, to allow Americans citizens and allies through while keeping potential suicide-bombers out, according to the Times. uncertain

Abbey Gate, under the control of the Marines, was identified as a prime target of the terror group. asserted

The Marines were planning to leave and hand over control to Donahue's troops, the outlet reported. asserted

On August 24, Donahue visited the gate and was met with thousands of Afghans surrounding Marines attempting to screen them. asserted

The general told his troops at the time that the chaotic scene created a perfect opportunity for an attack, the Times reported. asserted

People seen struggling to get into the Hamid Karzai International Airport, to flee the country on 23 August 2021 An ISIS suicide-bomber killed 13 American service members, pictured, and at least 170 Afghans in an attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul President Donald Trump slammed former President Joe Biden, seen delivering remarks on the terror attack in Kabul, and dubbed the incident 'the most embarrassing moment in the history of the United States' While Donahue thought it risky to wait to shut the gate down on August 27, as planned, British forces also using the gate for evacuation asked to keep it open and the Pentagon agreed, US officials told the outlet. asserted

The deadly attack unfolded at 5.48pm on August 26 while the Marines remained in control of the gate. asserted

Eleven Marines lost their lives, as well as one Navy medic, one Army soldier and many Afghans. asserted

Donahue recalled hearing and feeling the blast from his headquarters at the other side of the runway, the outlet reported. asserted

It was on August 30 that the war came to an end and the general boarded the final plane leaving the war-torn area. asserted

As Donahue landed in Qatar, he called his wife to let her know they had got out. asserted

'I know,' she said. asserted

'How did you know?' he asked. asserted

'Everybody knows.' British soldiers secure the perimeter outside the Baron Hotel, on a road that leads to the Abbey Gate, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 A Taliban fighter stands guard at the site of the August 26 twin suicide bombs, which killed scores of people including 13 US troops, at Kabul airport on August 27, 2021 She forwarded the photo of Donahue getting onto the plane out of Kabul that had been shared across news sites globally. asserted

'This is not good,' he said at the time. asserted

Hegseth had resigned from the Army following reportedly questionable behavior and blamed his departure from service on Army generals with 'bloated' ranks. uncertain

His vision to 'clean house' was one he believed that Trump shared. asserted

'He wants fewer generals,' Hegseth said at the time, according to the outlet. uncertain

Donahue had been a top candidate to take over for General Christopher G. Cavoli who would be retiring in the summer of 2025 – and Hegseth agreed, until he told staff that Trump was looking for someone to go down for the attack in Kabul. asserted

Joe Kasper, Hegseth's chief of staff, was presented with a small window of opportunity to defend Donahue, a well-respected and revered general who had seen more combat in his more than 20 deployments than almost any officer in the military. asserted

Kasper clarified to Hegseth that the photo from Kabul which pictured Donahue was not a selfie, the general had nothing to do with its distribution and the Marines had in fact been in charge of the gate when the attack unfolded, the Times reported. asserted

After learning that the photo from Kabul which pictured Donahue was not a selfie, the general had nothing to do with its distribution and the Marines had in-fact been in charge of the gate when the attack unfolded, Hegseth said: 'I don't care' asserted

After Hegseth had allegedly dodged, cancelled or rescheduled meetings, Donahue retired on August 27 surrounded by those who fought with him Soldiers of the German Federal Army (Bundeswehr) honor guard walk with torches during a grand tattoo for Donahue, former commander of the US Army in Europe and Africa, in Berlin, Germany, on 20 August 2026 uncertain

'I don't care,' Hegseth told Kasper, according to the outlet. uncertain

Despite many fighting to keep Donahue, describing him as a key strategist preparing for future war, Hegseth was determined to get the general out. asserted

Republican Senator Tim Sheehy staked his alliance with Donahue, but was told by General Dan Caine that his support was only fueling Hegseth's notion that Donahue was too powerful, the Times reported. asserted

'Do you think Secretary Hegseth would work with me if I was there,' Donahue asked, referring to an offer to take command in Austin, Texas, by Senator Joni Ernst – who had attempted to suggest Donahue lead the Army instead of Hegseth's pick, General Christopher LaNeve. asserted

'Honestly, no,' Ernst responded, according to the Times. uncertain