Trending Now - Pentagon Prayer Service Sparks Controversy Over Violent Remarks
WHO:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United
Doug Collins, Veterans Affairs Secretary and Air Force chaplain
Nicolás Maduro, former President of Venezuela
Doug Wilson, co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC)
WHAT:
Hegseth prayed for "overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy" during the service.
Hegseth stated, "Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation," during the prayer.
Hegseth announced that the military's chaplain corps would reduce its religious affiliation codes from over 200 to 31.
Hegseth described the current state of the chaplain corps as "infected by political correctness and secular humanism" and claimed it had been "watered down" to focus on "self-help and self-care" rather than faith or virtue.
Hegseth hosted a monthly Christian worship service at the Pentagon.
Hegseth prayed for "every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation."
A lawsuit was filed on March 23rd, 2026, seeking to enforce a public records request regarding the worship services.
Hegseth announced reforms to the military chaplain corps, including changes to how chaplains are identified and a reduction in recognized faith codes from over 200 to 31.
WHERE:
Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
WHEN:
The worship service was held on March 25th, 2026.
Hegseth began hosting worship at the Pentagon in May 2025.
The lawsuit was filed on March 23rd, 2026.
Hegseth's first monthly service since the Iran war began was on March 25th, 2026.
WHY:
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, stated, "The federal government’s role is to serve the public, not to proselytize," regarding the implications of Hegseth's prayer services.
Hegseth's prayers and services reflect his evangelical faith and a desire to invoke military might against perceived enemies.
The lawsuit alleges that Hegseth and Chavez-DeRemer are using government resources to impose their preferred religion on federal workers.
HOW:
Hegseth indicated that chaplains would no longer wear their officer rank insignia on their uniforms but would instead wear religious insignia.
Hegseth's prayers included specific references to Jesus Christ and a particular form of Protestant Christianity.
The lawsuit seeks internal communications about the worship services, their costs, guests, and any complaints received from employees.
(UPDATED March 26, 2026 23:11 UTC)
During a recent service, Hegseth prayed for "overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy," urging that "every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation." He also announced a significant reduction in the military's chaplain corps religious affiliation codes from over 200 to just 31, criticizing the current state of the corps as "infected by political correctness and secular humanism." In response, Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, emphasized that the federal government should focus on serving the public rather than promoting religious beliefs, while Hegseth indicated that chaplains would now wear religious insignia instead of their officer rank insignia.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 19:27 UTC)
On March 25, 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted a monthly Christian worship service at the Pentagon, where he prayed for military success against perceived enemies of righteousness. A lawsuit filed on March 23, 2026, claims that Hegseth and others are improperly using government resources to promote their preferred religion, seeking internal communications about the services and any related complaints. Hegseth also announced reforms to the military chaplain corps, reducing the number of recognized faith codes from over 200 to 31, as he continues to lead these worship events that reflect his evangelical beliefs.