Pentagon Cuts Hamper Probe of Deadly Iran School Strike

Defense Secretary Hegseth's staff reductions at oversight offices limit ability to investigate civilian casualties.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:34am

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The brutal reality of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's massive staff cuts at the Pentagon has been exposed, with the departments that would have investigated a deadly strike on an Iranian girls' school decimated. President Trump has said he is waiting for more information on the strike that killed around 168 people, mostly children. However, Hegseth's gutting of Pentagon oversight offices, including a 90% reduction in the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, has severely limited their ability to operate and conduct investigations.

Why it matters

The oversight offices that investigate civilian casualties and ensure accountability have been severely impacted by Hegseth's staff cuts, raising concerns about the Pentagon's ability to properly investigate the deadly strike on the Iranian girls' school. This comes as the Pentagon has faced scrutiny over its spending, including millions on luxury items like Alaskan king crab and lobster tail.

The details

Hegseth's staff cuts have impacted key Pentagon oversight offices, including the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which saw its 200-person workforce slashed by 90%. The team that handles civilian casualties at Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, is now down to a single employee from 10 previously. These cuts have severely limited the ability of these offices to operate and conduct investigations, according to Politico's sources.

  • On March 7, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke at the "Shield of the Americas" Summit in Miami, Florida.
  • On March 11, 2026, The Daily Beast published the report on Hegseth's Pentagon cuts and the impact on the investigation into the deadly strike on the Iranian girls' school.

The players

Pete Hegseth

U.S. Secretary of Defense who has implemented massive staff cuts at the Pentagon, including a 90% reduction in the workforce of the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence.

Donald Trump

President of the United States who has said he is waiting for more information on the deadly strike on an Iranian girls' school, but the Pentagon's ability to investigate has been hampered by Hegseth's staff cuts.

Wes Bryant

The Pentagon's former chief of staff of civilian harm assessment until last year, who said Hegseth's actions were "so unbelievably unacceptable" and pointed to "recklessness" in the planning and execution of the campaign.

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What they’re saying

“No nation in history has ever attempted in every possible way to avoid civilian casualties. Frankly, that's a point that isn't appreciated enough. Where things happen that need to be investigated, we will investigate...”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense (The Daily Beast)

“It just points even more to recklessness in this, in the entire planning and execution of this campaign, the fact that they don't have any idea.”

— Wes Bryant, Former Pentagon chief of staff of civilian harm assessment (The Daily Beast)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.