Pete Hegseth’s monthly prayer service raises religious freedom questions

Published May 25, 2025 5:00am ET



Earlier this week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosted what he said would be the first of monthly religious sermons in the Pentagon in an announcement that has sparked debate about religious freedom.

Pastor Brooks Potteiger, the leader of Hegseth’s Tennessee church, Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, led the service on Wednesday in the Pentagon auditorium, which was broadcast live on the department’s internal television network.

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