Recall back in the winter of 2024-25, before his confirmation, Pete Hegseth was on the receiving end of harsh criticism over his choice of ink on his skin. He was being accused of being a bigoted supremacist, primarily for having the Jerusalem Cross emblazoned on his chest. The Washington Post was among those taking up the verbal torches and pitchforks at the time.
That furor was about as impactful as a Nerf bullet on a Kevlar vest. The entire non-troversy then died off with the passing of former President Jimmy Carter when he was lying in state atop that sanctuary floor where the same cross insignia was inlaid. Now the complaints about Secretary Hegseth — and there is no shortage of such — have turned to him being TOO religious.
At the same Washington Post, their religion reporter, Michelle Boorstein, highlights the troubling aspects of Hegseth's faith regarding the activities at the Pentagon. It is precious to see those in the press who always preach for inclusiveness and acceptance turn against their very preachings when it comes to accepting religious expression. Well, certain religions. We know full well that there is zero tolerance for being critical of Islam; as for Catholics and Evangelicals, those are fair game!
As Boorstein reports, what “worries critics” is that since his appointment, Hegseth has been extremely open and energetic about invoking religion and making worship more available in the Pentagon. She goes so far as suggesting that his proselytizing may violate the Constitution, doing so right there in the subheader.
Now, it feels a bit strange to inform a wizened religious reporter that the First Amendment is largely centered on freedom of expression, including expression of the religious sort. This is not my interpretation; religion is mentioned specifically in that segment. But somehow Pete is restricted from being open about his faith.
The leanings in this accusation are based on the feeling of government establishment of a formal religion, and/or compelling people to participate. Yet throughout her piece, Boorstein attests that there is no compulsory dictate that has been handed down. So what is this frisson she is feeling over devout access?
Every month at the Pentagon, Hegseth hosts evangelical worship services that legal experts say are unprecedented. He has brought clergy from his small Christian denomination to preach at the Pentagon.
Okay…is there more? He has added some new services at the building, but where is the evidence over which I am supposed to be rending my garments? As Marc Thiessen points out, daily Catholic services have been in practice at the Pentagon for quite a long period.
Don’t get this. There has been a daily Catholic Mass at the Pentagon auditorium for decades. I used to attend when I worked for Don Rumsfeld. pic.twitter.com/vz1nCDWny4
— Marc Thiessen 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇦🇹🇼🇮🇱 (@marcthiessen) March 30, 2026
Is it the adding of more worship, his hosting these services, or involving non-Catholic practices? No real explanation is dropped in the collection plate. In one portion of her screed, Boorstein cites that America United — that dense group of Church and State separatists — is suing the Pentagon to obtain evidence…from those religious services.
Americans United earlier this week sued the Defense Department for not turning over public records requests about the Hegseth-led Christian prayer services at the Pentagon. In a release, it said Hegseth is abusing his position and taxpayer funds to impose his preferred religion.
The group says they are doing so, “even if these prayer services are presented as voluntary…” (Thank you for that moving service, Pastor — now if you would just turn over your sermon for this subpoena, that’d be divine.)
In another section of her Episcopal expose, Boorstein cites an insider’s view of things, and this may do the best work at illustrating the hysteria over…nothing. She quotes a civilian contractor with a lengthy work experience at the Pentagon, who is reportedly “terrified” over what is transpiring. In the anonymous (of course) claim, they say that what is so chilling is that people are more free to talk about their faith.
A senior Army civilian who has worked in the Pentagon for decades said people who work there are afraid to talk to one another or their superiors about concerns over Hegseth’s actions. The Army civilian, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they fear of being punished at work or fired, said limits that used to exist around proselytizing have evaporated under Hegseth.
Allow me a moment of grappling here. They are afraid to speak up because of the new policy, which has removed limits on speaking. This sounds like someone who is not comfortable hearing about others and their faith. I mean, I might understand being bothered, or such, but where exactly does terror come into play?
We see at play here the common media practice these days of building the entire article and then getting official statements as a final effort. Numerous opposition voices are trotted out to lend their critiques, yet in a nearly 2,000-word treatise, Pentagon spokespersons are given a rote paragraph or so to express their position, with scant other agreeable commentary.
One case of Michelle finding supportive voices is the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which ostensibly strives to protect religious liberty, but also is focused on church-state separation in the military. Guess which effort gets the bulk of its energy. That foundation’s president states there is a division in our military between those who are pro-MAGA and those who are not. He invokes January 6, for no sane reason, and then declares, “It’s a recipe for a civil war with military on both sides. And God is not going to help that.”
Call me Old Testament-fashioned, but if you are dredging up the Capitol riot and MAGA, as the perceived rift in the military, you are becoming a tad desperate. Full disclosure, I do not have a degree in theistic studies, but J-6 and MAGA are not religious entities. Using those to undermine the more open religious policies sounds like — dare I say it — you are sending up a desperate prayer for divisiveness.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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