Controversy Surrounds Pentagon Prayer Led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

On March 25, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth led a prayer service at the Pentagon, invoking Jesus Christ and calling for "overwhelming violence of action" against adversaries amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Hegseth's prayer included requests for American soldiers to be blessed with precision in their military actions and was described as a "pre-mission reading" previously used before a military operation in Venezuela. The service has drawn significant criticism due to its overtly sectarian nature and the violent rhetoric employed.

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Hegseth's remarks have been met with backlash from various critics who view his blend of Christian nationalism and militaristic language as alarming. Journalist Scott Horton characterized Hegseth's prayer as "heretical and batshit crazy Christianist gibberish." Investor Frank Giustra expressed concern over the shift from messages of love to calls for divine wrath, stating, "Looks like we are sliding back to the Old Testament." Author Diana Butler Bass remarked, "These guys are a danger to the planet," emphasizing the potential implications of such rhetoric.

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Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, condemned the use of "pseudo-religious language" to justify warfare, labeling it a grave sin. He specifically criticized Hegseth's invocation of Psalm 144, arguing that faith should not be manipulated to frame conflicts in religious terms. Pizzaballa stated, "There are no new crusades," and emphasized that if God is present in the war, it is among those suffering and oppressed, not in the rhetoric of violence.

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In response to the backlash, Hegseth concluded his prayer by asking for divine support for "our men and women in harm's way right now." This statement reflects a broader sentiment among some military and political leaders who advocate for strong military action underpinned by religious justification.

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While Hegseth's prayer has been widely criticized, there is a lack of consensus on the broader implications of such rhetoric within military and political circles. Some supporters may view Hegseth's approach as a necessary call for strength in a time of conflict, while detractors argue it undermines the moral fabric of military engagement.

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• “Looks like we are sliding back to the Old Testament,” — Frank Giustra, Investor and Philanthropist

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• “These guys are a danger to the planet,” — Diana Butler Bass, Author

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• “The abuse and manipulation of God's name to justify this and any other war is the gravest sin we can commit at this time,” — Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

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The Pentagon prayer service led by Pete Hegseth has sparked a significant debate about the intersection of religion and military policy, raising questions about the ethical implications of using religious rhetoric in the context of warfare.

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