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2h ago

Defense Secretary Hegseth Launches Monthly Christian Prayer Service at Pentagon

The voluntary service, led by Hegseth and featuring his pastor, raises concerns about church-state separation and inclusivity within the military.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attends a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon in Washington, DC on May 5.
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Overview

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted the first 'Secretary of Defense Christian Prayer & Worship Service' in the Pentagon auditorium, announcing plans for it to recur monthly.
  • The event featured a sermon by Hegseth’s pastor, Brooks Potteiger, who prayed for President Trump and described him as 'sovereignly appointed.'
  • The service was broadcast internally on the Pentagon’s network, a first for a religious event hosted by the secretary of defense.
  • Pentagon officials stated the event was voluntary and privately funded, but critics warn it could pressure personnel to attend and may violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
  • Hegseth’s public integration of his evangelical Christian faith into defense operations has drawn scrutiny, particularly given his church’s conservative stance on women in combat roles.