Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recited a prayer during a Pentagon worship service on Wednesday that closely resembled a monologue from the 1994 film Pulp Fiction. The prayer, which Hegseth attributed to a combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) mission involving downed Air Force crew members in Iran, was labeled 'CSAR 25:17'—a reference to Ezekiel 25:17. However, the prayer's wording matched Samuel L. Jackson's character's speech in Pulp Fiction, which is largely fictional and only loosely inspired by the biblical verse.
Hegseth explained that the prayer was recited by 'Sandy 1,' the lead mission planner of the CSAR team, before missions, including the recent rescue operation in Iran. The prayer's violent imagery—including a vow of vengeance—drew attention online, with some viewers questioning its appropriateness in a military setting. The actual Ezekiel 25:17 verse differs significantly from the Pulp Fiction monologue, which was adapted from a 1976 Japanese film.
The incident occurred amid political tensions, as House Democrats filed articles of impeachment against Hegseth over the U.S. war in Iran, civilian casualties, and handling of military information. Hegseth's use of the prayer has raised questions about the blending of pop culture and military tradition, particularly in ceremonial settings.