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Employees at the Pentagon’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response office were told their jobs would be eliminated, as would advisory posts at operational commands.
By John Ismay and Azmat Khan
John Ismay and Azmat Khan have spent years investigating civilian casualties from U.S. combat operations.
- March 4, 2025Updated 8:14 p.m. ET
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is moving to terminate Pentagon offices and positions that focus on preventing and responding to civilian harm during U.S. combat operations, according to three defense officials.
Employees at the Pentagon’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response office, which deals with policy matters related to limiting the risk to noncombatants, were informed on Monday that their office would be closed, the officials said.
They were also told that the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which handles training and procedures, would close as well.
The Pentagon is likely to cut all positions at combatant commands around the world, like Central Command and Africa Command, that work to mitigate and assess risks to civilians during airstrikes and other military operations.
It is unclear whether Mr. Hegseth is rescinding the Pentagon’s policy instruction, which requires that possible risks to civilians are considered in combat planning and operations.
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive policy changes.
If enforced, the decision would eliminate jobs for more than 160 Defense Department employees.
