Ex-Fort Benning commander’s retirement held up over social media posts, reports say

The Army has delayed the retirement of former Fort Benning commander Maj. Gen. Patrick Donahoe as the service completes an investigation of his social media use, several military news outlets reported.

Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith told the Ledger-Enquirer that Donahoe has been temporarily assigned as a special assistant to the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. It’s led by another former Fort Benning commander — Gen. Gary Brito.

The temporary assignment is pending “Department of the Army administrative reviews.” Smith did not answer questions regarding the scope of the review or what punishment Donahoe could face once the investigation is complete.

Donahoe did not respond to the L-E’s request for comment before publication.

“As the Army’s review process is ongoing, we cannot provide any additional information at this time,” Smith said.

The Army Times and Stars and Strips reported that the probe is focused on Donahoe’s use of social media during his time as Fort Benning commander. An Army official familiar with the review told the Stars and Stripes that the probe is related to Donahoe’s Twitter use, and the service opened an investigation sometime last year.

Donahoe had several Twitter clashes during his tenure at Fort Benning. Some drew the attention of Fox News commentators Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham.

Carlson accused Donahoe of “spending most of his time (online) harassing political opponents of the Biden administration” during a July 2021 show. Ingraham aired a segment that same month with a Marine veteran who argued with Donahoe on Twitter over coronavirus vaccine policy.

Donahoe announced in April 2022 that he would retire. He relinquished command of Fort Benning in July. Before becoming Fort Benning’s top commander in July 2020, he was the deputy commanding general for Operations, Eighth United States Army in the Republic of Korea.

Donahoe, a native of New Jersey, was commissioned an Armor Officer through Villanova University in May 1989.