Trending Now - Fundamentalist Extremism Influences Pentagon Under Trump

WHO:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

President Trump

Major Garrett, CBS News reporter

Doug Wilson, Hegseth's pastor

Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation

House Democrats

Jack Jenkins, RNS reporter

Amanda Henderson, podcast host of “Complexified”

Allyson Shortle, professor of politics and religion at the University of Oklahoma

Daniel Hummel, author and director of the Lumen Center

WHAT:

Hegseth closed a Pentagon press briefing with a reading from the Bible’s Book of Psalms.

Hegseth stated, “Our capabilities are better. Our will is better. Our troops are better. The providence of our almighty God is there protecting those troops, and we’re committed to this mission.”

Hegseth quoted Psalm 144 at a Pentagon press conference: “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.”

Hegseth has hosted monthly worship services at the Pentagon.

Hegseth's book “American Crusade” describes the term Deus Vult as “the rallying cry of Christian knights as they marched to Jerusalem.”

Hegseth's tattoo includes a Jerusalem Cross, a symbol tied to the Crusades.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation received numerous complaints regarding Hegseth's language and actions.

Hegseth invited Doug Wilson to address the US military in February 2026.

WHERE:

Pentagon

United States

Middle East, specifically Iran

WHEN:

The CBS News interview aired on March 8th, 2026.

Hegseth's remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast occurred in early March 2026.

Hegseth was disinvited from President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021.

Hegseth's book “American Crusade” was published in 2020.

WHY:

Hegseth believes the US is engaged in a “crusade moment” against Islamists.

Hegseth's motivations include a desire to reprogram the country to align with his view of Christianity.

Hegseth's language and actions are perceived as a way to connect military efforts with religious beliefs.

HOW:

Hegseth incorporates Christian themes into military recruitment videos.

Hegseth promotes a monthly prayer broadcast throughout the Pentagon.

Hegseth aims to rewrite the chaplain manual to include more religious language.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 19:19 UTC)

During a Pentagon press briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth closed with a reading from the Bible’s Book of Psalms, stating that the U.S. military's capabilities and resolve are bolstered by divine protection. Hegseth, who has hosted monthly worship services at the Pentagon and incorporates Christian themes into military recruitment videos, has faced numerous complaints from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation regarding his language and actions. His recent remarks and the promotion of a prayer broadcast reflect his belief that the U.S. is in a "crusade moment" against Islamists, aiming to align military efforts with his interpretation of Christianity.