Hegseth gutted civilian-protection program despite unanimous commander opposition
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth eliminated most of the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response program despite unanimous opposition from top commanders in early 2025. The program, designed to protect civilians during U.S. military operations, was stripped of almost all funding and staff. The decision came even as the U.S. launched new campaigns in Somalia, Yemen, and Iran.
Key Facts
- Nine commanders chose to cut 65% of CHMR staff but keep the program operational, according to a memo reviewed by ProPublica.
- Leaders of two commands declined all three options and asked to maintain the full program.
- U.S. Central Command pressed to keep its full CHMR staff of 16.
- Hegseth left only a handful of people to carry out the mission and stripped the program of almost all funding.
- The decision came as the U.S. launched new campaigns in Somalia, Yemen, and Iran.
Commander Opposition
Shortly after taking office, Hegseth polled top commanders about cutting the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response program. Every commander rebuffed the idea, cementing top-level military support for the program. Hegseth gave commanders three options: cut 65% of staff but keep the effort operational, continue with only a small centralized office in Washington, or eliminate the program. Nine commanders chose the first option to preserve the enterprise as much as possible. Leaders of two commands, one overseeing the nuclear arsenal and the other focused on cyber threats, declined all three options and asked to maintain the full program.
Program Dismantlement
Hegseth gutted the effort, leaving only a handful of people to carry out the mission. The program was stripped of almost all of its funding. Erik Kurilla, then head of Central Command, and several other senior officers directly involved in combat operations had appealed to Hegseth to keep the program. They explained that it was a valuable tool, but that intent was overridden. One official summed up the Hegseth approach as: “Bombs away!”
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Hegseth gutted civilian-protection program despite unanimous commander opposition
