Top Commanders Told Hegseth Not to Cut Civilian Protection Program, Poll Showed. He Did It Anyway.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth polled military commanders on cutting a program to protect civilians during U.S. military operations in early 2025. Despite senior officers' opposition, Hegseth proceeded with eliminating 65% of the program's staff, leaving only a small number of personnel to carry out the mission. This decision came after the program, known as Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR), was established to minimize civilian harm in combat zones following heavy casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The poll revealed that nine commanders opted to preserve as much of the program as possible, while two commands declined all three options. CHMR personnel were stationed in major regional commands to gather information on ground conditions and aid in decision-making for military strikes. The program's elimination was met with criticism, as it was deemed essential for efficient and accurate military operations, contributing to the reduction of civilian casualties.