In an apparent violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth invited all Pentagon personnel to a “Christian prayer and worship service”.
An email from Hegseth’s office early Wednesday morning (May 21) announced the service in the Pentagon Auditorium, to be held later in the day, during working hours.
The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing or promoting a religion.
Hegseth led the prayer service, which was called the “Secretary of Defense Christian Prayer & Worship Service.” Hegseth wants the prayer service to become a monthly event.
The main speaker was Brooks Potteiger, the pastor of Hegseth’s church in Tennessee.
Hegseth has made talking about his Christian faith a part of his daily life at the Pentagon, and he’s mentioned it in testimony to Congress, in public events and even in television interviews. Hegseth is believed to be a Christian nationalist.
