What to Know
During a press briefing about the ongoing war against Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Americans to pray. His message was extremely divisive online. Some people found it completely inappropriate, while others were offended that anyone was even bothered by it in the first place.
While sharing updates, Hegseth said, “And I say the same to every American who wants peace through strength. May Almighty God continue to bless our troops in this fight. And again to the American people, please pray for them every day on bended knee with your family, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ.”
In response, some people argued that religion should be kept out of politics.
Anyone else think it's highly inappropriate for the defense secretary to say "in the name of Jesus Christ" while he's doing a briefing about the U.S. killing people?
— Mark Jacob (@markjacob.bsky.social) March 19, 2026 at 8:16 AM
And others argued that the Trump administration shouldn’t have started the war in the first place. “So much for for keeping religion out of politics!” one critic wrote on social media. “We wouldn’t have to be praying for our troops now in harms way if you weren’t such an idiot for starting a War NOBODY WANTED!”
Another critic said they can’t stand listening to Hegseth because of the way he has been “bringing God and Jesus into war and killing.” Some people also questioned how the war is in line with Hegseth’s religious beliefs. “What happened to ‘thou shalt not kill?'” someone else questioned. To another critic, what Hegseth said sounded more like, “Pray for these troops I’m putting in harms way for no real reason.”
Hegseth’s message also reminded some people of the infamous “thoughts and prayers” line. At this point, a lot of politicians have been called out for saying “thoughts and prayers” instead of taking any meaningful action to prevent mass violence and other tragic events.
Some journalists also spoke out, sparking intense MAGA backlash.
Crashing right through the separation of church and state.
— Michael Derby (@michaelsderby.bsky.social) March 19, 2026 at 8:24 AM
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Reuters reporter Michael Derby reacted to a clip of Hegseth’s speech circulating on social media, writing, “Crashing right through the separation of church and state.” Meanwhile, CBS journalist wrote, “The Secretary of Defense tells the American public to pray for our troops on bended knee and invoke Jesus’ name….”
That comment in particular made conservatives really angry. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reposted it and wrote, “…and what’s wrong with that, Margaret?” Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “Only in DC is something like this considered even remotely offensive.”
And Congressman Brandon Gill chimed in with, “Democrats are reflexively repulsed when they hear someone invoke Christ’s name. What does that tell you?”
Pope Leo has spoken out against politicians who use their religious beliefs to justify violence.
Hegseth defies warning from the Pope about invoking God to justify violence. https://t.co/oYvjEapQmW pic.twitter.com/zmjoOXU6qk
— Nancy Levine Stearns (@nancylevine) March 19, 2026
He called it blasphemy. Which is why one critic on social media accused Hegseth of defying a “warning from the Pope about invoking God to justify violence.”
In December 2025, Pope Leo said, “Unfortunately, it has become increasingly common to drag the language of faith into political battles, to bless nationalism, and to justify violence and armed struggle in the name of religion. Believers must actively refute, above all by the witness of their lives, these forms of blasphemy that profane the holy name of God.”
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