Department of Defense head Pete Hegseth has delivered a falsified Bible verse to a Pentagon congregation.
Hegseth had previously been accused of alienating military chaplains by weaponizing Christianity to justify the Iran war and creating an atmosphere of fear for those who refused to comply with his ideological demands.
At a previous Pentagon prayer service, Hegseth invoked religious language to justify military violence, saying, "Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation. Give them wisdom in every decision … and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy."
Now, the Department of Defense head has used a fake Bible passage to inspire those attending a Pentagon prayer service that took place on April 15. Hegseth quoted a fictionalized Bible verse that featured in the 1994 film, Pulp Fiction.
A clip of Hegseth speaking to the Pentagon staff has since been circulated on X, with Hegseth heard reciting the verse delivered by Samuel L. Jackson in the film.
Hegseth introduced the prayer as CSAR 2517, which stands for Combat Search and Rescue, according to Public Witness. CSAR 2517 is in fact Ezekiel 25:17, a passage delivered by Jackson's character, Jules Winnfield, in Pulp Fiction.
"The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men,” Hegseth prayed. “Blessed is he who, in the name of camaraderie and duty, shepherd the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children.
"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother. And you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee, and amen."
It bears a similar reading to the lines delivered by Jackson in Pulp Fiction. His character says, "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children.
"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"