Pete Hegseth prays at Pentagon service for 'overwhelming violence'

Pete Hegseth prays at Pentagon service for 'overwhelming violence' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for "overwhelming violence of action" against those who "deserve no mercy" during a monthly Christian service held at the Pentagon on March 25, 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 U.S. 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." On March 23, 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. Department of War spokesperson: 'We are proud to host these services' Kingsley Wilson, the press secretary for the Department of War, formally known as the Department of Defense, previously told USA TODAY that Hegseth's prayer services "undoubtedly improve morale for those who choose to attend and are constitutionally protected." Wilson added: "We are proud to host these services and will continue to do so." Earlier this week, Hegseth announced that chaplains will display their religious insignia while retaining their rank as officers. They "will be seen among the highest ranks because of their divine calling," Hegseth said in a video posted to X. The change reflects Hegseth's wider effort to infuse the chaplaincy, and the military more broadly, with more explicitly religious sentiments. Hegseth's prayers also come weeks after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 after talks about Tehran's nuclear program failed to yield a deal. The war has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands of people and hitting the global economy with soaring energy prices, fuelling global inflation fears. Contributing: BrieAnna J. Frank, USA TODAY; Reuters Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.