Hegseth's 'Pulp Fiction' prayer

The Secretary claimed the verse was frequently used by combat search and rescue teams, though biblical scholars pointed out it is a fictionalized version of Ezekiel 25:17.

The incident has intensified concerns about the administration's use of religious rhetoric to justify military operations.

Hegseth also used the press conference to attack the 'unpatriotic' media, comparing reporters to the biblical Pharisees.

Critics argue that such language is divisive and inappropriate for a senior military official during a time of international conflict.