ARLINGTON, Va. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a dramatic recitation during a monthly Pentagon Christian worship service on Wednesday that has sparked widespread debate over its cinematic origins. Hegseth introduced the prayer as "CSAR 25:17," a title he said was meant to reflect the biblical verse Ezekiel 25:17 while honoring recent combat search-and-rescue missions.
The text delivered by Hegseth closely mirrored the iconic monologue written by Quentin Tarantino for the 1994 film Pulp Fiction. While the actual biblical verse is a brief passage regarding divine vengeance, the version spoken by Hegseth included the extended "path of the righteous man" imagery created for the screen.
Hegseth adapted the Hollywood script to include specific military terminology. He replaced references to "the righteous man" with "the downed aviator" and substituted the film’s concluding mention of "the Lord" with "Sandy 1," a traditional call sign for A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots who lead rescue escorts.
The Secretary stated that the prayer was provided by a mission planner involved in recent operations to recover U.S. personnel in Iran. The service was attended by military staff and featured a sermon by a Southern Baptist pastor. Recordings of the event began circulating on social media early Thursday morning, prompting immediate comparisons to actor Samuel L. Jackson’s performance.
Constitutional scholars and religious leaders have offered varying reactions to the use of a fictional screenplay in an official military-religious setting. Some observers criticized the blending of pop culture and scripture, while supporters argued the message resonated with the intensity of combat operations.
The incident occurs as House Democrats filed several articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Thursday morning. The filings cite various concerns, including the Secretary’s handling of Department of Defense leadership and allegations of religious overreach. President Donald Trump has not yet issued a formal comment regarding the service or the legislative move.
The "Sandy" call sign has a storied history dating back to the Vietnam War. Its use in this context highlights the administration's focus on the cultural heritage of the search-and-rescue community. The Pentagon has declined to clarify if the script's use was intentional.