Hegseth removes military chaplain rank insignia
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced he would reduce the visible status of military chaplains as part of a broader push to refocus the military on spiritual guidance.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called for “overwhelming acts of violence” against those who “do not deserve mercy” at the Pentagon’s monthly Christian service on March 25, a day after announcing sweeping changes to the military’s chaplain force.
During the live-streamed service, Hegseth quoted the Bible and read a prayer originally said by a military chaplain during a past U.S. military operation to the service members and civilians. That prayer asked God “that every round may find its mark against the enemies of justice and our great nation.”
“Give them wisdom in every decision, perseverance in the challenges ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence against those who do not deserve mercy,” Hegseth said. He also asked God to “break the teeth of the ungodly.”
On March 23, the advocacy group Americans United for the Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit challenging the Pentagon’s Christian worship activities, arguing that they violate constitutional restrictions on government support of religion, even if they are voluntary, according to Military.com.
“Even if these prayer services are presented as voluntary, there is pressure on federal employees to attend to appease their superiors,” Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, said in a statement shared with the media.
Department of the Army Spokesperson: “We are proud to host these events.”
Kingsley Wilson, a spokesman for the Department of the Army (officially known as the Department of Defense), previously told USA TODAY that Hegseth’s prayer service “definitely improves the morale of those who choose to participate and are protected by the Constitution.”
Wilson added: “We are proud to host these services and will continue to do so.”
Earlier this week, Hegseth announced that pastors would display religious insignia while retaining their executive positions. Hegseth said in a video posted to
This change reflected Hegseth’s broader efforts to instill more explicitly religious sentiments among chaplains and the military.
Hegseth’s prayer also came weeks after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28 after talks over Tehran’s nuclear program failed to reach an agreement. The war has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands of people, hurting the global economy with soaring energy prices and fueling global inflation concerns.
Contributor: BrieAnna J. Frank, USA TODAY. Reuters
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
