Hegseth Cites Bible to Criticize Media, Calls Anti-Trump Journalists 'Destroyers of Jesus'
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth criticized media coverage of the Iran war, citing the Bible and likening anti-Trump journalists to Pharisees who sought to 'destroy Jesus.' This further deepened the conflict between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV. Hegseth claimed that traditional media harbors long-standing hatred for Trump.
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- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 13:15
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 13:31 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 17:27 (3h 55m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, 16th, comprehensive foreign report) US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth today cited the Bible to criticize media questioning the Iran war. He called journalists Pharisees, public enemies of the Jews who conspired to 'destroy Jesus,' further exacerbating the contradiction between the White House and the Pope.
Reuters reported that Hegseth's remarks were aimed at countering what he perceived as unfavorable reports on the Iran war, at a time when the dispute between US President Trump and Pope Leo XIV was escalating. Leo XIV, the first American-born Catholic leader, has always been critical of the war.
The dispute saw new developments this week, with Trump posting photos on social media showing Jesus embracing him, portraying himself as a Jesus-like figure.
Hegseth shared a Sunday sermon during a Pentagon briefing on the Iran war. He spoke about the Pharisees who, even after witnessing Jesus' miracles, still conspired to undermine his influence.
Hegseth told the media: 'I thought, as I sat in church, that our media is like these Pharisees.'
'The Pharisees monitored every good deed, they looked for negatives only to find transgressions. The stony-hearted media, happy to cast blame and attack.'
Hegseth added that he was not referring to all media, but to traditional media that has long hated Trump.
Recently, Hegseth and Trump have repeatedly used Christian vocabulary to discuss the US-Iran war, with both describing the rescue of US airmen who crashed in Iran on Easter as a 'miracle.'
Hegseth had prayed at a prayer event last month for troops to inflict 'overwhelming violence' on 'those unworthy of mercy.'
John Fea, a history professor at Messiah University and an evangelical political expert, pointed out that while it is not uncommon for past US presidents and their administrations to invoke Christian faith during wartime, the Trump administration's use of religious language is strong and unreserved, making it completely different by comparison.
The use of religious vocabulary also deepened the rift with Pope Leo XIV. Less than an hour after the Pentagon press conference, Leo XIV posted on social media platform X: 'Woe to those who manipulate religion and the name of God for their own military, economic, and political interests, dragging sacred things into darkness and filth.'
Hegseth has long criticized the American media, accusing them of bias against Trump. He also engaged in a legal battle with the media over the Pentagon's press accreditation policy. A federal judge ruled last month that the Department of War's policy violated the Constitution, and the Pentagon has appealed. (Compiled by Qu Xiangping) 1150417
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(Central News Agency, Washington, 16th, comprehensive foreign report) US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth today cited the Bible to criticize media questioning the Iran war. He called journalists Pharisees, public enemies of the Jews who conspired to 'destroy Jesus,' further exacerbating the contradiction between the White House and the Pope.
Reuters reported that Hegseth's remarks were aimed at countering what he perceived as unfavorable reports on the Iran war, at a time when the dispute between US President Trump and Pope Leo XIV was escalating. Leo XIV, the first American-born Catholic leader, has always been critical of the war.
The dispute saw new developments this week, with Trump posting photos on social media showing Jesus embracing him, portraying himself as a Jesus-like figure.
Hegseth shared a Sunday sermon during a Pentagon briefing on the Iran war. He spoke about the Pharisees who, even after witnessing Jesus' miracles, still conspired to undermine his influence.
Hegseth told the media: 'I thought, as I sat in church, that our media is like these Pharisees.'
'The Pharisees monitored every good deed, they looked for negatives only to find transgressions. The stony-hearted media, happy to cast blame and attack.'
Hegseth added that he was not referring to all media, but to traditional media that has long hated Trump.
Recently, Hegseth and Trump have repeatedly used Christian vocabulary to discuss the US-Iran war, with both describing the rescue of US airmen who crashed in Iran on Easter as a 'miracle.'
Hegseth had prayed at a prayer event last month for troops to inflict 'overwhelming violence' on 'those unworthy of mercy.'
John Fea, a history professor at Messiah University and an evangelical political expert, pointed out that while it is not uncommon for past US presidents and their administrations to invoke Christian faith during wartime, the Trump administration's use of religious language is strong and unreserved, making it completely different by comparison.
The use of religious vocabulary also deepened the rift with Pope Leo XIV. Less than an hour after the Pentagon press conference, Leo XIV posted on social media platform X: 'Woe to those who manipulate religion and the name of God for their own military, economic, and political interests, dragging sacred things into darkness and filth.'
Hegseth has long criticized the American media, accusing them of bias against Trump. He also engaged in a legal battle with the media over the Pentagon's press accreditation policy. A federal judge ruled last month that the Department of War's policy violated the Constitution, and the Pentagon has appealed. (Compiled by Qu Xiangping) 1150417
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
FAQ
Why did Hegseth criticize the media?
He claimed that the media provided unfavorable reports on the Iran war and harbored long-standing hatred for President Trump.
Who did Hegseth liken to the Pharisees?
He likened journalists critical of President Trump to the Pharisees who sought to destroy Jesus.