U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth delivered a prayer at the Pentagon resembling a famous scene from Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction,” sparking criticism.
Defense Secretary’s Unusual Prayer
U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth “shone” during a Wednesday service at the Pentagon. He spoke of a rescue operation following the downing of an American fighter jet over Iran and asked those present to join in prayer, intended as a formula recited before each mission by crews participating in CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) missions.
“CSAR 25:17” and its Origins
Hegseth stated the prayer was known as “CSAR 25:17” and believed to be a reference to Ezekiel 25:17. He then recited the words: “The path of the downed pilot is on all sides beset by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men.” He continued, speaking of one “blessed who in the name of brotherhood and duty leads the lost through the valley of darkness,” concluding with, “And I will bring great vengeance and furious wrath upon those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother.”
A Striking Similarity to ‘Pulp Fiction’
This passage drew attention from commentators, as it closely mirrored a monologue delivered by Samuel L. Jackson’s character in “Pulp Fiction” before an execution. The film features similar phrasing regarding the “path of the righteous,” the “tyranny of evil men,” and “great vengeance and furious wrath.”
Minor Variations from the Film
The “prayer” differed from the “Pulp Fiction” monologue in only two places: “path of the righteous” was changed to “path of the downed pilot,” and “my name is” was altered to “my call sign is Sandy-1.”
The Actual Ezekiel 25:17
The authentic verse 17 from chapter 25 of the Book of Ezekiel is quite different and much shorter. The chapter concerns God’s judgment against the enemies of the Kingdom of Judah—Ammonites, Philistines, Moabites, and Edomites. The verse specifically addresses the Philistines: “I will take vengeance with furious rebuke, and they shall know that I am the Lord when I execute vengeance on them.” The verse varies slightly depending on the translation, but bears no resemblance to what the American politician recited.
Pentagon Faces Criticism
American media outlets reported on the incident, and online commentary quickly emerged regarding the head of the Pentagon’s embarrassment. It was emphasized that Hegseth did not cite the film as a cultural reference, but recited the text as a prayer during an official service, causing significant uproar.
Ongoing Controversy and Impeachment Efforts
Reports indicate the moment went viral partly because Hegseth has been organizing regular Christian services at the Pentagon for months, already drawing criticism from supporters of the separation of church and state. The situation unfolded at a politically difficult time for him, as Democrats in the House of Representatives filed articles of impeachment against the Secretary of Defense regarding the war with Iran, raising concerns about civilian casualties and handling sensitive information.