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7h ago

Pentagon Prayer Service Led by Defense Secretary Hegseth Faces Legal and Ethical Scrutiny

The inaugural Christian worship event, featuring prayers for President Trump, raises concerns over church-state separation and military norms.

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.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Image

Overview

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted a Christian prayer service in the Pentagon auditorium during work hours, marking the first of planned monthly events.
  • Hegseth’s pastor, Brooks Potteiger, delivered a sermon praising President Trump as a divinely chosen leader and prayed for his continued protection and wisdom.
  • Critics, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, argue the event violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause by blending government functions with sectarian worship.
  • The event was branded with the Department of Defense seal, distributed via official Pentagon communication channels, and broadcast on its internal TV network, raising questions about government endorsement.
  • Pentagon officials emphasized the service was voluntary and that civilian clergy covered their own expenses, but legal experts warn of implicit pressure in a hierarchical military environment.