https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/03/06/lawmakers-want-dod-hegseth-investigated-biblical-armageddon-claims.html Military.com Logo * Profile + Profile + Subscriptions + Log out * News + News Home + Army + Navy + Air Force + Marine Corps + Coast Guard + Space Force + Military Podcasts + Opinion + Videos * Benefits + Benefits Home + Military Pay and Money + GI Bill + Veteran Health Care + Tricare + VA Loans + Insurance + Retirement + VA eBenefits * Veteran Jobs + Veteran Job Search + Veteran Employment Project + Vet Friendly Employers + Career Advice * Military Life + Military Life Home + Money + Off Duty + Fitness + Military Trivia Game + Veterans Day + Spouse & Family + Deployment + Military History * Discounts + Discounts Home + Featured Discounts + Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts + Dining + Travel + Retail + Insurance + Services + Auto + Electronics * Join the Military + Join the Military Home + ASVAB + Contact a Recruiter + Military Fitness + Benefits Login Sign up * Profile * Subscriptions * Log out Sign up [ ] GOsearch arrow Sign up * Profile + Profile + Subscriptions + Log out * News + News Home + Army + Navy + Air Force + Marine Corps + Coast Guard + Space Force + Military Podcasts + Opinion + Videos * Benefits + Benefits Home + Military Pay and Money + GI Bill + Veteran Health Care + Tricare + VA Loans + Insurance + Retirement + VA eBenefits * Veteran Jobs + Veteran Job Search + Veteran Employment Project + Vet Friendly Employers + Career Advice * Military Life + Military Life Home + Money + Off Duty + Fitness + Military Trivia Game + Veterans Day + Spouse & Family + Deployment + Military History * Discounts + Discounts Home + Featured Discounts + Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts + Dining + Travel + Retail + Insurance + Services + Auto + Electronics * Join the Military + Join the Military Home + ASVAB + Contact a Recruiter + Military Fitness + Benefits * News * Army * Navy * Air Force * Marine Corps * Coast Guard * Space Force * Military Podcasts * Opinion * Videos More 1. 2. Military News Lawmakers Want DOD, Hegseth Investigated For Biblical 'Armageddon' Claims Share [ap26061515718897] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine take questions during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Military.com | By Nick Mordowanec Published March 06, 2026 at 3:03pm ET Share More than two dozen Democratic members of Congress are requesting an internal investigation at the Department of Defense regarding claims from uniformed officers that commanders have painted the current war in Iran as one rooted in Christian biblical prophecy. A complaint shared by an anonymous non-commissioned officer to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) claimed that non-commissioned officers were told that the Iran war is part of God's plan and that President Donald Trump was "anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth," as originally reported by journalist Jonathan Larsen. Between Saturday and Tuesday afternoon, MRFF logged more than 200 similar complaints across 50 installations encompassing every branch of the military, its founder, Mikey Weinstein, told Military.com. The accusations, which received no direct response from the Pentagon when inquired by Military.com, have drawn widespread attention--in part due to the Pentagon's open embrace of Christianity through monthly prayer services in addition to appearances and speaking engagements by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Christian-themed events. MRFF is composed roughly of 95% Christians. On Friday, Congressional Freethought Caucus co-chairs Reps. Jared Huffman (CA) and Jamie Raskin (MD) and House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel Ranking Member Chrissy Houlahan (PA) led 27 of their Democratic colleagues in requesting U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General Platte B. Moring III to open an investigation into these reports and claims "invoking religious prophecy and apocalyptic theology to justify the United States' military actions in Iran." "If accurate, these outrageous statements--justifying a war based on interpretations of biblical prophecies, and informing troops that they are risking their lives to advance a specific religious vision--raises not only glaring Constitutional concerns, but potential violations of Department of Defense regulations regarding religious neutrality and breaches of professional obligations and standards expected of military leadership," the lawmakers wrote in their two-page letter shared with Military.com. [ap26061509967236] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Members of the United States Armed Forces swear an oath to support and defend our secular Constitution--not any specific religious doctrines--and servicemembers must be able to carry out their duties free from coercive religious messaging by their chain of command. A caucus spokesperson deferred requests by Military.com for additional remarks to the letter itself. Military.com reached out to the DOD inspector general for comment. The letter was signed by moderate and progressive Democratic members including Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Mark Pocan, Eric Swalwell, Veronica Escobar and Pramila Jayapal. Complaint In Question The complaint in question that drew widespread attention earlier this week came from an individual who identified themselves as a non-commissioned officer (NCO) in a unit currently outside the Iran combat zone but who could be deployed at any time to help facilitate the mission in Iran dubbed Operation Epic Fury. That complainant is also a self-described Christian who emailed MRFF on behalf of 15 troops that included at least 11 Christians, one Muslim, and one Jew. "He urged us to tell our troops that this was 'all part of God's divine plan' and he specifically referenced numerous citations out of the Book of Revelation referring to Armageddon and the imminent return of Jesus Christ," the NCO wrote in the email. "He said that 'President Trump has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth.'" Democrats Wants Answers Democrats are inquiring whether these latest allegations "are part of a broader political climate in which Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and senior civilian officials have publicly framed Middle East policy in explicitly religious terms." "Public statements by administration officials and allies invoking biblical claims about Israel and the region--along with rhetoric suggesting a prophetic or religious dimension to geopolitical conflicts--risks emboldening similar messaging within military ranks," the letter's signees said. We urge you to assess whether Secretary Hegseth's extreme religious rhetoric has metastasized into segments of the military chain of command in ways that contravene constitutional protections, departmental rules and standards, or professional military norms. They requested that the following six inquiries be investigated: * Whether military commanders or other officers have made statements to subordinates asserting that U.S. military operations against Iran are part of a religious prophecy, divine plan, or apocalyptic religious event, and if so, where such communications originated within the chain of command. * Whether any such statements constitute violations of Department of Defense policies, including DoD Instruction 1300.17 "Religious Liberty in the Military Services," regarding religious neutrality, improper proselytizing, or abuse of command authority. * The scope and geographic distribution of complaints received within the Department of Defense regarding religiously framed messaging related to the Iran conflict. * Whether servicemembers who reported these concerns experienced retaliation or fear of retaliation within their units. * What training, guidance, or oversight currently exists to ensure commanders maintain religious neutrality in operational briefings, command communications, and other official settings. * Whether additional guidance or action is warranted to ensure that persona. Share Related Topics: Department of Defense - DoD Iran Pentagon Pete Hegseth Congress [svg] [Nick] By Nick Mordowanec Nick Mordowanec is a deputy editor for Military.com, reporting on general news and features across the U.S. Armed Forces in addition to investigative stories. Read Full Bio (c) Copyright 2026 Military.com. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Military.com, please submit your request here. You May Also Like A Marine Corps carry team moves the transfer case. A Marine Corps carry team moves the transfer case. Iran War Deaths Could Resurface Trump's Complicated History With Military Sacrifice One of Trump's first controversies after entering politics involved criticism of Sen. John McCain's military service. Smoke rises after an Iranian drone attack in the port area of Dubai. Smoke rises after an Iranian drone attack in the port area of Dubai. Trump Administration and Democrats at Odds Over Risk to US Weapons Stockpiles From Iran War The Pentagon's chief spokesman said that the U.S. military "has everything it needs to execute any mission at the time and... the headshots of four service members combined into one graphic the headshots of four service members combined into one graphic Trump Will Join Grieving Families for the Return of Soldiers Killed in War in the Middle East The six members of the Army Reserve were all from the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa. Russia Putin Russia Putin Russia Has Provided Iran With Information That Can Help Tehran Strike US Military Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the... Military News * Investigations and Features * Army * Navy * Air Force * Marine Corps * Coast Guard * Space Force * Military Opinion Select Service * Army * Marines * Navy * Air Force * National Guard * Coast Guard * Space Force * Spouse Login Army My Profile Army Home Page Navy My Profile Navy Home Page Air Force My Profile Air Force Home Page Marines My Profile Marines Home Page Coast Guard My Profile Coast Guard Home Page Space Force My Profile Space Force Home Page National Guard My Profile National Guard Home Page Spouse My Profile Spouse Home Page My Profile News Home Page Most Popular Military News [svg] [apnewsroom_state_of_the_uni] Two Heroes, Two Medals of Honor: Inside Trump's State of the Union Tribute Trump awarded two Medals of Honor during his State of the Union -- one to a wounded helicopter pilot, another to a 100-year... An F/A-18E Super Hornet streaks across an aircraft carrier flight deck. An F/A-18E Super Hornet streaks across an aircraft carrier flight deck. Amid Biggest US Military Buildup Since 2003, What Service Members and Families Need to Do Right Now Nobody knows yet whether the current buildup will result in a strike, a deal or a prolonged standoff. What you can control is... [svg] [mig-15bis_kimpo_sep_1953_0] The US Failed to Capture a MiG-15. Then a North Korean Defector Delivered One A secret US operation spent months trying to obtain a Soviet MiG-15 during the Korean War. A North Korean defector who never... [svg] [fallon_cjtf_hoa_change_of_c] 25 Years After 9/11: Former CENTCOM Commander's Strategic Warning on What America Still Gets Wrong The only U.S. officer to lead PACOM and CENTCOM warns in his memoir that America chases short-term wins over strategy--risking... [svg] [shutterstock_2501477449_0] Why You Didn't Get the Job: Understanding How Companies Hire In today's turbulent, unpredictable and frustrating hiring market, job-seekers are seemingly doing everything right and... Latest Benefits Info * The Medal of Honor * What Do Medal of Honor Recipients Get? * Continued Health Care Benefit Program Overview * Medal of Honor Means Benefits for Life * VA Won't Enforce New Rule on Disability Ratings, Secretary Says. Congress Members Want It Rescinded View more More Military Headlines A Marine Corps carry team moves the transfer case. A Marine Corps carry team moves the transfer case. Iran War Deaths Could Resurface Trump's Complicated History With Military Sacrifice One of Trump's first controversies after entering politics involved criticism of Sen. John McCain's military service. Smoke rises after an Iranian drone attack in the port area of Dubai. Smoke rises after an Iranian drone attack in the port area of Dubai. Trump Administration and Democrats at Odds Over Risk to US Weapons Stockpiles From Iran War The Pentagon's chief spokesman said that the U.S. military "has everything it needs to execute any mission at the time and... the headshots of four service members combined into one graphic the headshots of four service members combined into one graphic Trump Will Join Grieving Families for the Return of Soldiers Killed in War in the Middle East The six members of the Army Reserve were all from the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa. Russia Putin Russia Putin Russia Has Provided Iran With Information That Can Help Tehran Strike US Military Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the... Pentagon US Iran Pentagon US Iran Evidence Suggests the Deadly Blast at an Iranian School Was Likely a US Airstrike Satellite images and videos of an Iranian girls school damaged by large explosions at the start of a U.S.-Israeli airstrike... View more Army * EXCLUSIVE: Netflix's 'War Machine' Blends Army Ranger Training, '80s Sci-Fi * GoFundMe For Fallen US Soldier Raises Over $50k in Less Than 24 Hours * Operation Varsity: The Last Great Airborne Operation of WWII View more Air Force * New 'Masters of the Air' Deluxe Edition Reveals Rare WWII Photos & B-17 Cutaway * Ex-US Air Force Pilot Arrested, Claimed to Have Provided Training to China * NATO's Secret Aircraft Acquisition Process After Boeing E-7 Wedgetail Fallout View more Navy * Strike on Iranian Frigate Triggers Debate Over Law, Morality and Congressional Authority * US Bombers Pound 200 Targets Across Iran in 72 Hours * Iranian Ship Was Leaving Indian Naval Exercise When Sunk, Raising Concerns in New Delhi View more Military Benefits Updates * VA Won't Enforce New Rule on Disability Ratings, Secretary Says. Congress Members Want It Rescinded * Army's First Campus-Style Dining Venue Ushers in 'Freedom Dollars' * 2026 Taxes: This Is What Military Landlords Need to Know View more Marine Corps * Exclusive: John Ripley, the Marine Who Blew Up the Dong Ha Bridge, to Receive the Medal of Honor * 9 Killed as Protesters Try to Storm US Consulate in Pakistan Over Killing of Iran's Supreme Leader * Veterans Help Solve 22-Year-Old Cold Case in Florida View more Coast Guard * Coast Guard Bidding Process For New Facility Was a 'Formality': Lawmaker * Coast Guard Pushes Back As Flight Data Sparks Scrutiny * Coast Guard Intercepts 6 Vessels, Apprehends 82 Suspected Migrants View more Entertainment * EXCLUSIVE: Netflix's 'War Machine' Blends Army Ranger Training, '80s Sci-Fi * EXCLUSIVE: 'NCIS' Star on Midseason Premiere, New Podcast Before Episode 500 * First Look at Amazon's Live-Action 'God of War': What We Know So Far View more [ ] GOsearch arrow Sign up * Profile + Profile + Subscriptions + Log out * News + News Home + Army + Navy + Air Force + Marine Corps + Coast Guard + Space Force + Military Podcasts + Opinion + Videos * Benefits + Benefits Home + Military Pay and Money + GI Bill + Veteran Health Care + Tricare + VA Loans + Insurance + Retirement + VA eBenefits * Veteran Jobs + Veteran Job Search + Veteran Employment Project + Vet Friendly Employers + Career Advice * Military Life + Military Life Home + Money + Off Duty + Fitness + Military Trivia Game + Veterans Day + Spouse & Family + Deployment + Military History * Discounts + Discounts Home + Featured Discounts + Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts + Dining + Travel + Retail + Insurance + Services + Auto + Electronics * Join the Military + Join the Military Home + ASVAB + Contact a Recruiter + Military Fitness + Benefits Military.com icon Military.com Network * Air Force * Army * Coast Guard * Marine Corps * National Guard * Navy * Space Force * * * * * About Military.com * About Us & Press Room * RSS * Advertise with Us * Reprints & Permissions * Subscriptions * User Agreement * Privacy Policy * Your Privacy Choices * Site Map Military & Veteran Journalism Fund Need customer support? Visit our Customer Support center for solutions or to contact us. Customer Support (c) 2026 Military.com AdChoices AdChoices icon