Lawmakers Accuse Pentagon of Gutting 2022 Civilian Harm Program After IG Finds Legal Breach
Updated
Updated · Military Times · May 15
Lawmakers Accuse Pentagon of Gutting 2022 Civilian Harm Program After IG Finds Legal Breach
4 articles · Updated · Military Times · May 15
House lawmakers said the Pentagon is violating the law by defunding and scaling back the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan, a 2022 program meant to reduce civilian casualties in U.S. operations.
A May inspector general report found the Defense Department had already halted meetings, lost or reassigned staff and stopped some funding while proposing to eliminate or sharply reduce key elements, including the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence.
The watchdog said DoD had asked Congress in May 2025 to repeal the law requiring that center, and warned the rollback could leave the military out of compliance with its civilian harm policy mandated by federal law.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll acknowledged the legal obligation but said disruptions may reflect restructuring rather than an intentional dismantling, a defense senior Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee said they did not trust.
The clash revives a post-Iraq and Afghanistan debate over whether limiting civilian harm is not only a legal duty but also central to mission success and local support.
With trust broken between Congress and the Pentagon, who will ensure the military is held accountable?
As the Pentagon prioritizes 'lethality,' is it ignoring its legal duty to protect civilians in war?
Did dismantling a civilian protection program lead to the recent deadly strike on an Iranian school?