Event Brief
Aug 25, 2026 at 1:05 PM ET
Hegseth axed civilian-harm program despite officer support
By The BriefBrief
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth polled senior commanders in early 2025 on cutting the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) program. A memo reviewed by ProPublica says nine commanders chose to cut 65% of CHMR staff while keeping it operational, and two commands declined all options, but Hegseth eliminated the program anyway.
WHO: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; senior military commanders; ProPublica
WHAT: Hegseth eliminated the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) program after a poll of senior commanders and despite some commanders choosing to preserve it.
WHEN: Reported Aug 25, 2026 at 12:35 PM ET
WHERE: USA
WHY: Hegseth bet senior officers would endorse focusing on civilian security as “woke” and out of step with “maximum lethality,” and he eliminated the program despite commanders’ responses.
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