First Trump administration loosened rules of engagement and caused numerous civilian deaths. The Trump administration is moving to potentially eliminate a Defense Department office tasked with helping commanders reduce civilian deaths from military operations.
A 2023 law, signed by the Biden administration, later established the Center. The reported changes come amid speculation the Trump administration could loosen civilian protections and rules of engagement in military operations. The Trump administration’s nominee to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, has claimed he ignored civilian protections during his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He told a podcast in November he ignored a commander’s order not to fire on someone unless they raised a weapon to shoot at American soldiers first. During his time at Fox News, Hegseth successfully urged Trump to pardon U.S. servicemembers accused, and in one case convicted, of war crimes.
