Megyn Kelly has launched a sharp critique against her former Fox News colleague Pete Hegseth, now Secretary of Defense, for his persistent use of religious language during wartime announcements. The confrontation unfolded during Thursday's episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, where the host expressed deep discomfort with Hegseth's approach.
A Catholic Perspective on Military Communication
Kelly, identifying herself as a lifelong Roman Catholic, began by acknowledging her general support for Hegseth before delivering her pointed criticism. "I was a fan of Pete's, but I'm not a fan of the praying and the constant references to God, Jesus, and the Bible from the Pentagon while he's announcing war plans," Kelly stated emphatically. "It makes me very uncomfortable. Very."
During her conversation with conservative podcaster Britt Mayer, Kelly contrasted Hegseth's style with what she described as the preferable approach of US General Dan "Raizin" Caine. "I much prefer the Dan Caine approach of just the facts," Kelly explained. "Religion, obviously, it's a major part of Pete's life: That's great, and I'm in favor of that. But it doesn't belong when you're talking about our plans to wipe out people, including possible civilians."
Biblical References and Media Criticism
The discussion centered on a specific Pentagon press briefing where Hegseth invoked scripture to critique media coverage of the Iran conflict. In the clip played during Kelly's show, Hegseth recounted a church experience where his minister preached from the Book of Mark, Chapter 3, describing Jesus healing a man with a withered hand while Pharisees watched critically.
Hegseth drew a direct parallel between these ancient religious figures and contemporary journalists. "The Pharisees - an ancient Jewish sect Hegseth described as the 'self-appointed elites' of the era - had hearts too 'hardened' to acknowledge Christ," Kelly summarized from Hegseth's remarks. "They were only there to explain away the goodness in pursuit of their agenda."
Hegseth then explicitly connected this biblical narrative to modern media, stating: "Not all of you. Not all of you. But the legacy Trump-hating press." This comparison followed previous controversy where Hegseth had mistakenly referenced dialogue from the 1994 film "Pulp Fiction" as biblical verse during another Pentagon presentation.
Pattern of Religious Integration at the Pentagon
Since assuming the role of defense chief, Hegseth has systematically incorporated his Christian faith into Pentagon operations. He hosts monthly Christian worship services at the Defense Department, which he has additionally renamed the Department of War as a secondary title. Promotional materials have featured Bible verses alongside military footage, creating what critics describe as an uncomfortable fusion of religious and military messaging.
Kelly emphasized the particular inappropriateness of this approach during discussions of military action. "These two things do not belong together, and I just - I'm really uncomfortable with it," she reiterated before playing the Hegseth clip. The host noted she would have responded similarly regardless of political affiliation: "If Joe Biden did this through his Pentagon, I would have ripped him a new one."
Broader Context and Reactions
The criticism emerges amid broader tensions between the administration and Catholic leadership. Pope Leo XIV, the 70-year-old first US-born pontiff, has issued multiple appeals for peace since the Iran conflict began on February 28. President Trump has dismissed the religious leader as too "weak on crime" and "liberal," refusing subsequent apologies.
Pope Leo responded to these remarks during his African trip, asserting he had "no fear of the Trump administration." Meanwhile, Hegseth's rhetoric has drawn particular scrutiny for what some perceive as contradictory messaging - combining Christian references with aggressive military posturing.
During a March 13 briefing, Hegseth declared he would give "no quarter" to the enemy, a military phrase historically interpreted as taking no prisoners. Kelly's guest Britt Mayer echoed the host's concerns, describing Hegseth's religious language as "uncomfortable" within the context of war discussions.
Kelly, who spent twelve years at Fox News before departing in 2017, revealed during her critique that she had assisted Hegseth in obtaining his current position. Despite being a longtime Trump supporter, Kelly has broken with the president over the Iran conflict, highlighting the complex political and personal dimensions of this controversy.
