WASHINGTON — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing intense scrutiny for using explicitly biblical and “crusader” imagery to justify the escalating U.S.-Israel-Iran war. The rhetoric, which surfaced during a Pentagon briefing on March 20, 2026, has ignited fears that the conflict is being framed as a religious “clash of civilizations.”
The “Psalm 144” Briefing
At a recent press briefing regarding military strikes against Iranian infrastructure, Hegseth moved beyond traditional strategic language:
-
The Invocation: Hegseth recited Psalm 144, stating, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.”
-
Religious Framing: He characterized Iranian leadership as “religious fanatics” seeking a “nuclear Armageddon,” while simultaneously encouraging U.S. troops to “lean into their faith” and “rely on God” during combat operations.
-
Crusader Imagery: Critics have pointed to Hegseth’s tattoos—the Jerusalem Cross and the phrase “Deus Vult” (God wills it)—as evidence of a “Christian Nationalist” worldview influencing the Pentagon’s mission.
Internal Pentagon Shift
Since taking office, Hegseth has aggressively reshaped the Department of Defense (DoD) to align with his conservative evangelical convictions:
-
Spiritual Fitness: He scrapped the 2025 Army Spiritual Fitness Guide, citing a need to move away from “secular humanism” and toward a more traditional religious focus for the Chaplain Corps.
-
Policy Reversals: Hegseth has overseen the banning of transgender troops, the curtailing of diversity (DEI) initiatives, and a formal review of women in combat roles.
-
Nationalism: Hegseth’s invited guest at the Pentagon, Pastor Doug Wilson, has openly advocated for restricting Muslim immigration to maintain a “predominantly Christian” America.
The “Armageddon” Allegations
The rhetoric has led to unverified reports, cited by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), that some commanders are telling troops the war fulfills end-times prophecy. While major watchdog groups like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have not yet confirmed these specific claims, the Pentagon Inspector General has been petitioned by 30 members of Congress to investigate potential violations of the military’s secular mission.
Global Impact
Analysts warn that Hegseth’s language is playing directly into the hands of Tehran’s hardliners. By framing the war in religious terms, the U.S. risks alienating its secular and non-Christian allies while reinforcing the Iranian regime’s narrative of a “Western Crusade” against Islam.
