WASHINGTON: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called for “overwhelming violence of action” against those who “deserve no mercy” during a monthly Christian service held at the Pentagon, a day after he announced major changes to the military’s chaplaincy corps.
Speaking to military and civilian employees at the livestreamed service, Hegseth quoted Scripture and read a prayer he said was first offered by a military chaplain during a past US operation. The prayer asked God to “let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation.”
“Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy,” Hegseth said. He also called on God to “break the teeth of the ungodly.”
The advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit challenging the Pentagon’s Christian worship services, according to Military.com, arguing they violate constitutional limits on government endorsement of religion even when framed as voluntary.
“Even if these prayer services are presented as voluntary, there is pressure on federal employees to attend to appease their bosses,” Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser said in a statement shared with the outlet.
