Hegseth prays at Pentagon service for ‘overwhelming violence’ against enemies - The Guardian

The Guardian
March 26, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Pentagon Secretary Hegseth offered prayers for 'overwhelming violence' against enemies at a religious service, blending faith with military strategy.

AI Summary

Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, offered prayers at a Pentagon religious service for "overwhelming violence" against enemies of the United States. Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran, has long integrated religious faith into his public messaging and military philosophy. The prayer reflects the rhetoric Hegseth has used since taking office, emphasizing aggressive military posture and faith-based justification for defense policy. This episode illustrates how Hegseth is reshaping the Pentagon's cultural tone under the Trump administration, blending evangelical Christianity with military strategy. The characterization may amplify ongoing debates over the appropriate role of religious expression in U.S. military leadership and operations.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Hegseth prays at Pentagon service for ‘overwhelming violence’ against enemies
Politics

Hegseth prays at Pentagon service for ‘overwhelming violence’ against enemies

<p>Remarks come after defense secretary calls for changes to military’s chaplain corps, which had been ‘watered down’</p><p>The defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, prayed during a religious service at the Pentagon that there be “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy”.</p><p>The Christian worship service, held on Wednesday before military and civilian workers at the Pentagon, was Hegseth’s first since the Iran war began, the Associated Press reported.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/26/hegseth-prayer-violence-pentagon">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsMar 26
At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy' - AP News
Politics

At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy' - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxOeDlCUjk4MTlrUjNJQW1jS2NodjB4U2pPWVBaZHBrWU9jTmZ2VFFOS2JrbW91RE5sZlprN3JZSXplLWZvdDg0YkJSclR4MFNiWVpDM0xqaWljSFBMeEg2ZUpRZHQ0eEFUbmlXTXZ4X0M1MkZ2Y2ZCYXpIN2dNRUk3Xy1VMzZRY1BWbWN3MGRxdU8zQzFvRFpTU3RPU2hueTZwQy1XOFI2Z1ZZbDA?oc=5" target="_blank">At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy'</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 25
At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy'
National Security

At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy'

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has hosted a monthly Christian prayer and worship service at the Pentagon, the first since the Iran war began.

PBS NewsHourMar 25
Hegseth prays at service for violence against ‘those who deserve no mercy’
Politics

Hegseth prays at service for violence against ‘those who deserve no mercy’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prayed at a Wednesday service in the Pentagon for violence against those “who deserve no mercy” and for god to “break the teeth of the ugodly.” Hegseth read a prayer that he said was first delivered by a chaplain to troops ahead of an operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro…

The HillMar 26
Ukraine war briefing: Pentagon reportedly considering whether to divert aid from Ukraine to Middle East - The Guardian
National Security

Ukraine war briefing: Pentagon reportedly considering whether to divert aid from Ukraine to Middle East - The Guardian

The GuardianMar 27
Sydney teenager charged with terror offences after allegedly posting threats of extremist violence
National Security

Sydney teenager charged with terror offences after allegedly posting threats of extremist violence

<p>NSW police allege the boy ‘held a mixed ideology and outlined plans for acts of violence’</p><p>A 16-year-old boy has been charged with multiple terrorism offences after he allegedly posted threats of extremist violence online.</p><p>Police initially arrested and charged the boy with weapons offences in December after the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team received reports of someone making violent threats online, the Australian Federal Police said in a statement on Wednesday morning.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/25/sydney-teenager-charged-with-terror-offences-after-allegedly-posting-threats-of-extremist-violence">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian World NewsMar 24
Read Next
US uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon, WaPo reports - Reuters
National Security

US uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon, WaPo reports - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1AFBVV95cUxQaWlEeG1iQ3BYdWtGQXlGT09ieHV5cTJic05XT3pHaWpHOWtFVTBhd3I0d0o2WlhlaUZpb3RCMXVhdi1RNXRUdkpuMjU4LWJOd3NISWlnRy1aMFVCTFNGNHZ3UUljQ1RYYXdrcTl1MkJ1aDJKdE9NUHBJUWtZZVNHRmJhMmtMMV9nR1FCZ3FsN09OOE01NDBHdUVLMjNZXzNZSGNkdmo3dmVua2M5dHV4b2l2MlRDSFJFTTlMbEpOZkZ4QVl0a0FWd0VnMDRKeVBwWVd2SA?oc=5" target="_blank">US uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon, WaPo reports</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources