Pete Hegseth compares US pilot to Jesus Christ, says Iran will face 'largest volume of strikes'
April 6, 2026
USA TODAY
Speaking to reporters during a White House press conference, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth compared the second rescued airman of the jet shot down by Iran last week to Jesus Christ. The airman was shot down on Good Friday, hid in a crevice for more than a day and was "flown out of Iran as the sun was rising on Easter Sunday," Hegseth said. The airman's first message when he was finally able to activate his emergency transponder was "God is good," Hegseth told reporters.
The secretary has held monthly Christian worship services in the Pentagon that critics have said inappropriately politicizes the military. At a recent service, he called for "overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy." Hegseth also went on to say that Monday will include "the largest volume of strikes" under the direction of President Donald Trump.
USA TODAY
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