Defense Secretary Hegseth Leads Pentagon Prayer Calling for Overwhelming Violence

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led a Christian worship service at the Pentagon on Wednesday, praying for "overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy" and "eternal damnation" for "wicked souls." Hegseth stated the prayer had been used by a chaplain for troops during the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He framed the current U.S.-Israeli war against Iran as a struggle against religious fanatics seeking a nuclear Armageddon, asserting that the U.S. "negotiate[s] with bombs."

Alongside the service, Hegseth announced reforms to the military chaplain corps to combat "political correctness and secular humanism." These changes include reducing recognized faith codes from approximately 200 to 31 and replacing traditional rank insignia with religious affiliation markers. President Donald Trump praised Hegseth during an event in Tennessee, identifying him as an early supporter of the Iran campaign.

The actions have sparked significant backlash. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa criticized the use of God's name to justify war, while the advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed lawsuits against the defense and labor departments. The group seeks to determine if federal employees are being pressured to attend these services, arguing the government's role is to serve the public rather than proselytize. Meanwhile, Pentagon staffers have reportedly nicknamed Hegseth "Dumb McNamara," comparing his hardline approach to Robert McNamara's role in the Vietnam War.