Pentagon Quietly Shuts Legally Required Program to Prevent Civilian Deaths by Military, Watchdog Finds

The Department of War’s (DoW) decision to dismantle the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence (CP CoE) and terminate funding for a critical data management platform has raised serious concerns about the department’s commitment to upholding federal law. This move not only undermines the DoW’s responsibility to protect civilians but also highlights a disturbing trend of downplaying civilian harm under the current administration.

The inspector general’s report reveals that the CP CoE, created by Lloyd Austin in January 2022, has been effectively dismantled. With only seven people left reporting to the program and those individuals “locked out of all operations,” it is clear that the department is no longer committed to upholding its civilian protection policies.

This development is particularly striking given recent US strikes on Iran, including the attack on the Shajareh Tayyebe Elementary school in Minab. These incidents occurred around the same time as the inspector general’s findings, suggesting a disturbing pattern of neglect and disregard for civilian lives.

The DoW has long been criticized for its inadequate accounting for civilian casualties, despite evidence suggesting that US military actions have resulted in thousands of civilian deaths over the years. The inspector general’s report serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in this area.

The Trump administration’s cuts to the civilian harm mitigation and response program (CHMR) laid the groundwork for this current crisis. However, it was Donald Trump’s successor, Pete Hegseth, who took the decision to dismantle the CP CoE and further erode the department’s capacity to respond to civilian harm. Hegseth’s response to criticism over civilian casualties – shifting blame onto Iran’s regime for placing rocket launchers in civilian areas – is a stark example of the administration’s reluctance to take responsibility.

The inspector general’s findings highlight several key issues, including the disintegration of the CP CoE and the downplaying of civilian harm. Senior officials, including Elbridge Colby and Dan Driscoll, proposed cutting or eliminating the CHMR program without waiting for a response from Hegseth, raising serious concerns about the administration’s commitment to protecting civilians.

As Madison Hunke, US program manager at the Center for Civilians in Conflict, noted, “If that’s any indication of the Department’s current approach to civilian harm after gutting 90% of its CHMR workforce, it’s hard to imagine what future US operations might look like if these programs are further degraded.” This is a chilling reminder of the need for greater accountability and transparency in the Pentagon.

The DoW has been given until June 12th to provide a plan to address the inspector general’s findings. However, with Hegseth at the helm, it is difficult to imagine a reversal of this trend. The report serves as a stark warning about the dangers of neglecting civilian harm and highlights the urgent need for reform within the Pentagon.

As the US continues to engage in military operations around the world, it is essential that we hold our leaders accountable for their actions. The inspector general’s report is a stark reminder that this accountability starts at home – with the Pentagon itself.