Hegseth to be featured in Bible reading event after 'Pulp Fiction' embarrassment
Department of Defense head Pete Hegseth will take part in a Bible reading project just days after an embarrassing Pentagon prayer group reading. Hegseth, who has been at odds with military chaplains in the last few weeks over comments made about the war in Iran, will provide a reading along with President Donald Trump, Ben Carson, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The New York Times confirmed Hegseth's inclusion in the project, with Ruth Graham writing yesterday, "Participants include the secretary of state, Marco Rubio; the secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth; and the transportation secretary, Sean Duffy."The event has been in the works for more than a year, envisioned in part as an invitation for leaders to 'humble themselves in front of the American people' in anticipation of the country’s 250th anniversary, Ms. Pounds said. Under the Trump administration, official celebrations appear poised to emphasize the Christian roots of the nation’s founding."America Reads the Bible will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for a week, starting with Genesis 1 on Sunday and ending with the last chapter of Revelation on Saturday evening. "Most participants will read their passages live at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, but some high-profile participants prerecorded their segments."Hegseth's inclusion in the project had likely been recorded before he delivered an embarrassing moment during a Pentagon prayer service. 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.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."