That intersection of First Amendment rights has found significant blowback for War Sec. Pete Hegseth who, in a press briefing last Thursday, asked Americans to pray for their troops who have entered harm’s way during the conflict against Iran.
“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,” Hegseth said.
Prior to urging Americans to pray, he asked, “May Almighty God continue to bless our troops in this fight.”
Hegseth's comments, which were appreciated and considered non-controversial to many people, set off a fury among critics, however.
The first complaint appeared to come March 19 on X from CBS journalist Margaret Breenan. She stated the "Secretary of Defense tells the American public to pray for our troops on bended knee and invoke Jesus' name..."
Brennan was mocked mercilessly online for her comment, which was nearing 5 million views and 9,000 comments on Monday.
AFR host Jenna Ellis was among those replies. "Secretary of War," she wrote, citing Hegseth's correct title, "and this is still a Christian nation."
"How dare we pray for troops in harm’s way! Thank you for your opposition to this," wrote Federalist editor Mollie Hemingway.
Many others gave Brennan a history lesson about prayer and America citing former presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Others pointed out the General Dwight D. Eisenhower's speech hours before the D-Day invasion. "Good luck!," the general concluded. "And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
Left-leaning media continued to label Hegseth’s speech as “Christian rhetoric,” taking issue with his citing of Psalm 144 – “Blessed by the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my finders for battler” – and other Bible passages.
The U.S. News & World Report on Friday was troubled by his reference Iran’s Islamic government as “the mullahs.”
The outlet was also bothered by Hegseth’s membership in a congregation which is part of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) “where women cannot serve in leadership, and pastors argue that homosexuality should be criminalized.”
Hegseth’s prayer was also criticize by The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Irish Star, a news outlet that purports to “bridge the gap” between Irish and American culture.
Irish Star says Hegseth defied a warning from Pope Leo XIV about invoking God to justify war in Iran.
“It shows us where our culture is, that even using that basic Christian language is now seen as suspect. I think it was a CBS anchor who tweeted that and was just expressing shock that someone would say something like this. I think it's revealing on many levels,” David Closson, the director for the Center for Biblical Worldview at Family Research Council, said on “Washington Watch” Friday.
Hegseth’s call for prayer is by no means a first for U.S. leaders, Closson told show host Casey Harper.
“We need to bring back historical literacy,” Closson said. “What he said has been parroted by leaders, presidents and leaders of our armed forces for years. It shouldn't be controversial.”
Closson said Hegseth is right. Now is the time for Americans to ask for God’s protection for U.S. troops.
“We should be praying for the president, for wisdom, discernment. We should be praying for the safety and protection of our armed forces. I do it every night. My prayer is that other Americans would join us in beseeching the Lord for the protection and for wisdom, because this is an important issue.”
