Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted a morning prayer service at the Pentagon on Wednesday, saying that he planned for it to be a monthly “sacred tradition.”
Mr. Hegseth, a Christian who frequently invokes his faith, said American military leaders going back to George Washington have sought God’s protection and guidance both in peace and war.
“This is precisely where I need to be and I think exactly where we need to be as a nation at this moment — on bended knee, recognizing the providence of our lord and savior Jesus Christ,” Mr. Hegseth said.
The 30-minute voluntary service was broadcast on the Pentagon’s internal television network for those unable to attend.
The Pentagon’s Memorial Chapel provides religious services for all faith traditions. Wednesday’s standing-room-only prayer service was held in the auditorium, presumably because of a lack of space inside the chapel.
The Pentagon auditorium has been the site of other religious rites, including Catholic Ash Wednesday services.
The inaugural service was led by Brooks Potteiger, Mr. Hegseth’s home pastor in Tennessee. Mr. Hegseth said other ministers will lead future prayer meetings at the Pentagon.
“We pray for our leaders whom you have sovereignly appointed,” the pastor prayed. “For President Trump, thank you for the way you have used him to bring stability and moral clarity to our land.”
Although some have criticized Mr. Hegseth’s leadership role at the Pentagon prayer service, the First Liberty Institute, a Texas-based Christian legal firm that litigates First Amendment cases on religion, said he’s on solid legal grounds.
“Secretary Hegseth’s exercise of his religious faith is protected just like it was for the Navy SEALs we represented against the prior administration when it tried to kick them out for their faith objection to COVID requirements,” said Erin Smith, associate counsel at the First Liberty Institute. “We commend Secretary Hegseth for standing up for the Constitution and against censorship.”
