{
  "id": 16461188,
  "title": "Hegseth Built a New Pentagon Office for Religion. Military Religious Leaders Wish He Hadn’t.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/hegseth-built-a-new-pentagon-office-for-religion-military-religious-16461188",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T10:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Intercept",
    "slug": "the-intercept-theintercept",
    "url": "https://theintercept.com/2026/10/25/hegseth-military-christian-religion/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled a new Office of Religious Affairs as part of the Pentagon's promotion of Christianity and a campaign called \"Send Me.\" Military chaplains, both current and former, expressed concern over the office's potential to favor one religion over others, particularly non-Christian chaplains. Hegseth, known for his Christian imagery and a \"Deus vult\" tattoo, has been vocal in his support for the U.S. and Israel's war in Iran. The new office, which reports directly to Hegseth and the deputy defense secretary, will oversee the Armed Forces Chaplains Board and assess spiritual fitness and resilience within the military. While the Pentagon claims the office cannot compel religious participation or diminish free-exercise rights, concerns remain about potential discrimination and the impact on non-Christian chaplains' roles and promotions.",
  "summary": "“What do I tell a soldier who believes an action is immoral, but also believes that God commanded it?” one Army chaplain told The Intercept. The post Hegseth Built a New Pentagon Office for Religion. Military Religious Leaders Wish He Hadn’t. appeared first on The Intercept .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}