The White House recommended that the State Department shut down programs investigating war crimes in Ukraine

The White House is recommending that the State Department shut down programs investigating war crimes in Ukraine.

This was reported by Reuters, citing internal documents and two anonymous sources.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has recommended that the U.S. State Department terminate around two dozen programs related to the investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity in various countries, including Ukraine, Syria, and Myanmar.

The OMB is now waiting for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his aides to provide input on which programs merit continuation. These may include initiatives in Iraq, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and The Gambia. However, sources indicate that Rubio is unlikely to advocate for many of the programs, although he may argue for preserving key ones—such as support for potential prosecutions of war crimes committed in Ukraine.

Among the Ukraine-based programs at risk of being cut: Global Rights Compliance, which collects evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity across Ukraine, including sexual violence and torture. Legal Action Network, which provides legal assistance for initiating cases against Russian suspects involved in war crimes.

The State Department is expected to present its case for retaining war crimes-related programs by July 11.