Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon issued a public recommendation to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday, urging him to reduce overt religious references during Pentagon briefings on the Iran conflict. Bannon argued that such rhetoric detracts from the operational and strategic details being presented by military leadership.
Speaking on his "War Room" program, Bannon praised a recent briefing by General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, for its clarity in explaining the mechanics and objectives of the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "It was a briefing of precision," Bannon said. "My observation or recommendation: I don't think I would start that with some references to the New Testament."
Hegseth's Contentious Briefing Style
Bannon's advice follows another combative performance from Hegseth, who has frequently used his platform at the Pentagon podium to attack media coverage of the administration's foreign policy. During Thursday's briefing, Hegseth lambasted the press corps, accusing them of peddling "an endless stream of garbage" and "relentlessly negative coverage" that he claimed obscured the successes of American troops. "Sometimes it's hard to figure out what side some of you are actually on," he added.
In a move that has become characteristic, Hegseth invoked biblical analogy, comparing some reporters to the Pharisees, a group depicted in the New Testament as hypocritical opponents of Jesus. "The legacy Trump-hating press, your politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors," the Defense Secretary stated. His religious invocations have extended to calls for American families to pray for service members "on bended knee... in the name of Jesus Christ."
Growing Scrutiny and Official Complaints
This consistent blending of religious language with official military communication has drawn criticism from veterans' groups and constitutional experts, who warn it could foster division within the ranks and undermine the principle of civilian control of a secular military. The practice has also attracted formal political scrutiny.
In early March, a coalition of thirty Democratic lawmakers requested the Defense Department's inspector general open an investigation. They questioned whether Hegseth's "extreme religious rhetoric" has influenced parts of the military chain of command in ways that may violate constitutional protections, Pentagon regulations, or established professional norms. This scrutiny comes amid other challenges for the Secretary, including high-stakes congressional negotiations over a massive defense budget request and criticism over his absence from a key allied meeting on Ukraine.
Bannon framed his counsel as pragmatic, focused on message discipline. He suggested that briefings from the Pentagon should be reserved strictly for discussions of military capabilities and strategic objectives. "That's all the mainstream media is covering right now is Pete's opening remark about the Gospel according to Mark and the reference to the Pharisees," Bannon observed. "It's just when are you going to do it? I would not do it because it steps on what's important. We ought to tone that down and focus... let's have a military briefing."
The episode highlights an ongoing tension within factions supportive of the administration between a desire to mobilize a conservative, faith-based political base and the strategic imperative to maintain a focused, secular public narrative on national security. Hegseth's approach has consistently fueled media attention, as seen when he compared the Pentagon press corps to biblical Pharisees, often at the expense of the substantive updates on operations like the U.S. naval blockade which has turned back Iranian-bound vessels. Whether Hegseth will adjust his tone following advice from a former ally like Bannon remains a pointed question in Washington.
