Hegseth dismantles Pentagon civilian-harm programs and slashes staff by 90 percent

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismantled the Pentagon civilian harm mitigation programs in early 2026, firing staff at the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, slashing CHMR staff at combatant commands by more than 90 percent, and eliminating the civilian harm office at Joint Special Operations Command. CENTCOM civilian harm team was reduced from 10 to one staffer. Hegseth made "lethality" his top priority and also fired the military top judge advocate generals who provided legal guidance on rules of engagement.