It is assured that when the press attempts to lecture the devout on the details and parameters of the Scripture and Christianity, they are more likely to trip on their rosary and face-plant in the rectory. Watching those trying to speak not only authoritatively but with condescension on a subject with which they normally hold contempt is often hilarious.
It is simply a marvel how our media complex refuses to learn even the most basic lessons. For years, the press has noted the steep decline in public trust in the media, but few, if any, are working to address the problem. Instead, they are content to not only continue delivering fractured versions of journalism but to craft creative narratives. The Iran conflict has seen that practice ramped up even higher, with claims that Iran is winning the war.
Now we have the press displaying this within the span of one day, and proving their target correct in the process. This morning, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth laid into the media, describing their warped coverage of Operation Epic Fury as being on par with the Pharisees in the Bible. We covered his comments from the Pentagon briefing this morning.
READ MORE: Pete Hegseth Torches Legacy Media: 'Your Politically-Motivated Animus Nearly Blinds You'
Hegseth said his impression was formed this Sunday when listening to the sermon from his pastor, and one comment stands out. This is how Hegseth described the press being on par with the Pharisees from the New Testament.
"They were only there to explain away the goodness in pursuit of their agenda. As the passage ends, the Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel against him, how to destroy him."
Not only was this a spot-on description of how the media has been behaving, but we saw them enact this very behavior the same day. Within hours of that morning presser, the press literally held counsel against Secretary Hegseth. They would have been wise to hold their breath.
It was, of all outlets, Variety that came out with the scathing rebuke that Hegseth had misquoted the Bible during one of the allegedly controversial worship sessions he hosts at the Pentagon. It is warped enough that a Hollywood trade paper would weigh in on this, but there is a reason, even as it acted unreasonably. The entertainment outlet tried to claim he mistakenly quoted actor Samuel L. Jackson, delivering lines from the film “Pulp Fiction”, when he thought he had been quoting the Bible.
And yes, the outlet got things magnificently incorrect.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tried to evoke Holy Scripture but instead quoted Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" during a Pentagon worship service.
— Variety (@Variety) April 16, 2026
Hagseth read the altered version of Ezekiel 25:17 quoted by Samuel L. Jackson’s character in the movie just before he shoots a…
Eagerly joining the shrieking, in slobbering fashion, was Mother Jones.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth quoted a violent and fictional Bible passage nearly word-for-word from Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction in his Wednesday night worship service at the Pentagon. https://t.co/cCcXyGMYso
— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) April 16, 2026
If we were to point to one glaring issue that constantly exposes the press is the sheer inability (okay, refusal) of journalists to do the most basic research. In my media podcast, I frequently show where those in the trade end up shaming themselves by failing to do basic investigation when leaping to report on something. In covering this supposed slam on Secretary Hegseth, it would have entailed all of maybe one minute of their time to find out what was actually said.
I’ll allow, it is possible accuracy was not a concern, just focus on rushing out with another hit on the secretary. Well, I dared to actually perform this task that they steadfastly refused to do. And what do you know – they got things completely incorrect.
The press is intent to claim Sec. Hegseth said a Samuel L. Jackson quote was a Bible verse.
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) April 16, 2026
Because I prefer to light a candle, rather than curse their darkness, here is the video of Pete Hegseth as he repeatedly states he is reading a prayer spoken during military missions. pic.twitter.com/etHxrVVB0D
Here are the pertinent passages from his religious service (key quotes highlighted):
"Which leads me finally to a prayer that I'll read, which was also handed to me a couple of days ago, delivered from the lead mission planner of Sandy-1. Sandy-1 were the A-10s that were a part of the daylight rescue mission of 44 Alpha - Dude 44 Alpha out of Iran. So it's this prayer that was recited by Sandy-1, which is one of the Sandies, to all Sandies, all those A-10 crews prior to all CSAR missions, but especially this CSAR mission that happened in real time. They call it CSAR 25:17, which I think is meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17. So the prayer is CSAR 25:17."
One would think that when rushing to claim Hegseth was attributing Samuel L. Jackson to the Bible, they would have the firm facts on their side. But that would involve the press actually thinking through their claim. Emotionally rushing hit pieces out eclipses the use of pragmatic thought.
But this was bound to happen when journalists want to lecture on theological matters. It may be time for a commanded separation of church and Press.
Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives. Help us continue to expose their left-wing bias by reading news you can trust. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member