Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has sparked controversy after praying for 'overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy' during a religious service at the Pentagon. The Christian worship event on Wednesday was Hegseth's first since the Iran war began, according to the Associated Press.
Hegseth's prayer, which he said originated from a military chaplain and was given to troops after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, included the line: 'Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation.' He also asked for 'unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.'
The remarks came a day after Hegseth announced changes to the military's chaplain corps, which he claimed had been 'infected by political correctness and secular humanism' and 'watered down' to become 'nothing more than therapists'. Under the reforms, the number of religious affiliation codes will be reduced from around 200 to 31, and chaplains will wear religious insignia instead of officer rank badges.
Hegseth, a member of a church affiliated with the Congregation of Reformed Evangelical Churches, has faced criticism for injecting his Christian faith into his role. Military veterans have warned that his approach could cause division and weaken the armed forces. Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed lawsuits to access records about Pentagon prayer services, arguing that federal employees may feel pressured to attend.
