Hegseth prayed for two downed American airmen. Before he began, he stated that this prayer is recited to all A-10 aircrews before all CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) missions.
“They call it CSAR 25:17, which I think reflects Ezekiel 25:17,” Hegseth explained. However, instead of praying from the Bible, he quoted words from the movie Pulp Fiction almost verbatim. For the purpose of this article, the official Czech translation of this picture was used.
“The path of the downed airman is surrounded on all sides by injustice, selfishness and the tyranny of human malice,” Hegseth paraphrased from the film.
Wow this is embarrassing!
Pete Hegseth quoted a fake Bible verse from Pulp Fiction at a Pentagon speech and prayer session yesterday.
The prayer was an adaptation of the monologue delivered by Samuel L. Jackson’s character. In the movie, the character falsely attributes it to… pic.twitter.com/G4OJc9BdQC
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) April 16, 2026
“Blessed be he who, in the name of friendship and good will, leads the weak out of the valley of darkness, for he is the true shepherd and savior of the lost children. And I will bring them to the ground with mighty punishment and fierce wrath. All who seek to capture and destroy my brothers. And when I bring my vengeance upon you, you shall know that my call sign is Sandy One, that my name is God,” added Hegseth. in the edited passage. Sandy is a reference to the name of some American operations.
Pentagon chief Hegseth has been holding religious services regularly in recent months. The similarity of this prayer with dialogue from the movie Pulp Fiction attracted attention on social networks and, according to Newsweek, also pointed out how pop culture can be reflected in military tradition or ceremonial ceremonies.
Some users on social networks rhetorically ask whether Hegseth’s service was just a satire.
It is based on a real verse
Film director Quentin Tarantino was inspired by the real verse Ezekiel 25:17, but he modified it in his own way. The original version reads as follows: “I will take terrible vengeance on them, when I will punish them in my indignation. When I make them feel my vengeance, they will know that I am the Lord.”
Newsweek reported that Hegseth delivered the edited verse at a “politically sensitive moment”. He is currently facing efforts to recall him from the ranks of the Democrats.
“I presented the points of the constitutional lawsuit against Pete Hegseth for breaking his promise, threatening American soldiers and committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a girls’ school in Minab, Iran,” Arizona congresswoman Yassamin Ansari wrote on the social network X. A girls’ school in Minab was hit, killing at least 168 children and ten teachers. This strike is attributed to the US military.
However, it is not very likely that the motion to appeal will pass. It would have to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Democrats do not have a majority in either chamber.
