Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a prayer at a Wednesday service in the Pentagon, calling for “eternal damnation” for those “who deserve no mercy” and for God to “break the teeth of the ungodly,” as reported by The Hill. This prayer has certainly raised some eyebrows, and it looks like the situation is getting even more intense.
Hegseth reportedly read a prayer he said was first used by a chaplain for troops before an operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro back in January. During the monthly Christian worship service, Hegseth spoke to uniformed military personnel and civilian employees, saying, “Behold now the wicked who rise against your justice and the peace of the righteous. Snap the rod of the oppressor, frustrate the wicked plans and break the teeth of the ungodly. By the blast of your anger, let the evil perish.”
He continued, asking for “clear and righteous targets for violence” for the task force. “Surround them as a shield, protect the innocent and blameless in their midst, make their arrows like those of a skilled warrior who returned not empty-handed. Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation,” Hegseth added. He also prayed for justice to be “executed swiftly and without remorse, that evil may be driven back and wicked souls delivered to the eternal damnation prepared for them.”
This prayer comes amidst a lawsuit filed by the advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State
The group’s concern revolves around Hegseth’s monthly Christian worship services, stating that “Even if these prayer services are presented as voluntary, there is pressure on federal employees to attend in order to appease their bosses.”
Hegseth frequently brings up faith in his role as the Pentagon head. He is also part of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a conservative network of Christian congregations. Doug Wilson, a self-described Christian nationalist, co-founded the CREC network, and he, along with other pastors, has even preached at the Pentagon. It seems like there’s a strong connection between Hegseth’s office and this particular religious group.
Things got even wilder this week when Brooks Potteiger, a pastor at Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship in Tennessee and a parishioner of Hegseth, made headlines. Potteiger suggested that James Talarico, a Democrat running for Senate in Texas, should be crucified. Talarico responded to this shocking statement, writing, “I love you more than you could ever hate me.”
Beyond the Pentagon services, Hegseth has also publicly urged the American people to pray for the troops. At the most recent press briefing at the Pentagon last week, he said, “And again to the American people, please pray for them every day on bended knee with your family, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ. To the troops, keep going and Godspeed.”
In a related development, Hegseth announced two significant changes to military chaplains. Chaplains, who have been integral to the military since 1775, will no longer wear their rank insignia. Instead, they will display insignia reflecting their specific religious affiliation. Additionally, the number of faith codes chaplains use will be reduced from over 200 to 31.
Published: Mar 26, 2026 06:15 pm