Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Defense Secretary Echoes Pulp Fiction Verse at Pentagon Prayer

5/17/2026

50 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Hegseth Recites

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recited “CSAR 25:17” at a Pentagon prayer meeting in April 2026.
SNL co-host Colin Jost pitched a cold-open of the verse, but writers rejected it.
Two weeks later Hegseth delivered an identical passage mirroring Samuel L. Jackson’s Ezekiel 25:17 monologue from Pulp Fiction with military wording.
On May 9, 2026 SNL aired a segment starring Matt Damon as Brett Kavanaugh and Aziz Ansari as Kash Patel.

Summary

Hegseth Recites

Pete Hegseth said the “CSAR 25:17” prayer is routine in Combat Search and Rescue missions and that it was spoken during a CSAR operation over Iran.
He explained the chant is broadcast by the “Sandy 1” call sign to “Sandy” crews and A-10 pilots before each CSAR mission.
Newsweek said the chant is “commonplace in military circles,” unlike the movie’s rendition of Ezekiel 25:17, which reads “And I will execute vengeance …”.

1 of 2

Hegseth Recites

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recited “CSAR 25:17” at a Pentagon prayer meeting in April 2026.
SNL co-host Colin Jost pitched a cold-open of the verse, but writers rejected it.
Two weeks later Hegseth delivered an identical passage mirroring Samuel L. Jackson’s Ezekiel 25:17 monologue from Pulp Fiction with military wording.
On May 9, 2026 SNL aired a segment starring Matt Damon as Brett Kavanaugh and Aziz Ansari as Kash Patel.

1 / 2