{"id":2176173,"date":"2026-10-02T08:51:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T05:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2176173"},"modified":"2026-10-02T08:51:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T05:51:33","slug":"pete-hegseth-creates-pentagon-office-of-religious-affairs-reporting-directly-to-him","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2176173","title":{"rendered":"Pete Hegseth creates Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs reporting directly to him"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/66\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_74670b81-e59a-5ed5-bf42-7d425370b5a2-9936614.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2930570-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2930570\" data-cid=\"9937549\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930570-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/75\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_4d354d5e-2a7d-58ca-b80a-95b6076f0ff9-9937549.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A healthcare worker in protective clothing is disinfected by a colleague inside a treatment center for Ebola patients in Beni, DR Congo.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Democratic Republic Of Congo<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    DR Congo Ebola outbreak killed more than 4,000: official figures\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930216-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2930216\" data-cid=\"9935555\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930216-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/55\/55\/189x106_cmsv2_a05d812f-de1a-5660-8139-0507fa82d831-9935555.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Student holds sign &apos;we want BAC Not the BAC&apos; at school protest in Lille, France, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French students clash with police as school protests spread nationwide\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930555-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2930555\" data-cid=\"9937532\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930555-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/75\/32\/189x106_cmsv2_0f78e10a-9168-53bb-9b1a-151c125304a3-9937532.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | October 2nd, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | October 2nd, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930539-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2930539\" data-cid=\"9937371\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930539-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/73\/71\/189x106_cmsv2_d23affc2-9ed2-5fa5-b084-774e268394ee-9937371.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The sun sets beyond the lights of a distant youth baseball complex Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Lenexa, Kan. (AP Photo\/Charlie Riedel)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The solar system will fall apart far sooner than anyone thought, scientists say\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930570-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2\" data-nid=\"2930570\" data-cid=\"9937549\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930570-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/75\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_4d354d5e-2a7d-58ca-b80a-95b6076f0ff9-9937549.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A healthcare worker in protective clothing is disinfected by a colleague inside a treatment center for Ebola patients in Beni, DR Congo.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Democratic Republic Of Congo<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    DR Congo Ebola outbreak killed more than 4,000: official figures\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930216-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2930216\" data-cid=\"9935555\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930216-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/55\/55\/189x106_cmsv2_a05d812f-de1a-5660-8139-0507fa82d831-9935555.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Student holds sign &apos;we want BAC Not the BAC&apos; at school protest in Lille, France, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French students clash with police as school protests spread nationwide\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930555-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2930555\" data-cid=\"9937532\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930555-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/75\/32\/189x106_cmsv2_0f78e10a-9168-53bb-9b1a-151c125304a3-9937532.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | October 2nd, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | October 2nd, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930539-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2\" data-nid=\"2930539\" data-cid=\"9937371\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930539-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/73\/71\/189x106_cmsv2_d23affc2-9ed2-5fa5-b084-774e268394ee-9937371.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The sun sets beyond the lights of a distant youth baseball complex Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Lenexa, Kan. (AP Photo\/Charlie Riedel)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The solar system will fall apart far sooner than anyone thought, scientists say\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          USA<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Pete Hegseth creates Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs reporting directly to him<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/66\/14\/1536x864_cmsv2_74670b81-e59a-5ed5-bf42-7d425370b5a2-9936614.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth gives a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, 30 September, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth gives a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, 30 September, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspGavin Blackburn\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1790931093\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-10-02 10:51:33 +02:00\">02\/10\/2026 &#8211; 10:51 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span 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height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Hegseth has infused his evangelical Christianity into his leadership of the Pentagon, hosting worship services for employees and often speaking of the United States as a Christian nation.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is launching an office of religious affairs, the latest of his faith-related reforms at the Pentagon.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>He announced in a speech on Wednesday that the office will help offer \u201cfirst-class religious support\u201d and will report directly to him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur department is, you might say, putting on the full armour of God, because while we wage physical war, we all know the real battle is spiritual,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Hegseth has infused his evangelical Christianity into his leadership of the Pentagon, hosting worship services for employees and often speaking of the United States as a Christian nation.<\/p>\n<p>The Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) will advocate for military chaplains and religious support \u201cat the highest level of the Department,\u201d according to a Pentagon statement.<\/p>\n<p>It will not \u201ccompel religious participation, favour one faith, or diminish the rights of personnel of any faith or lack thereof.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Some criticism of the initiative surfaced quickly.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/66\/14\/808x539_cmsv2_61db3bb2-3158-5753-962d-417a2d49b7dc-9936614.jpg\" alt=\"US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth gives a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, 30 September, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth gives a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, 30 September, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Pentagon \u201cowes it to the nation\u2019s service members to defend religious freedom,\u201d said Rachel Laser, head of Americans United for Separation of Church, which has sued the Pentagon over its worship services.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHegseth\u2019s latest announcement violates that promise by elevating Christianity to an even higher role in shaping US military policy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Other federal agencies have had religious or faith-based offices, which were established under President George W. Bush and were continued in different forms under the Obama and Biden administrations.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump established a White House Faith Office and had a similar effort during his first term.<\/p>\n<p>Shaun Casey, a religion scholar, led the State Department\u2019s Office of Religion and Global Affairs during the Obama administration.<\/p>\n<p>The office did not promote religion or spiritual well-being, he said. \u201cIt was there to understand what were the political implications of lived religion in the various hot spots around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The leader of the new office has not been named. A Pentagon memo said the religious affairs director will coordinate spiritual resources, including \u201cfaith-based homeschool support for military families.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hegseth has also pushed the military school system to introduce more coursework that draws from conservative and Christian influences.<\/p>\n<p>The memo mentions \u201cfaith-based initiatives supporting Department-wide suicide reduction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, the military has become increasingly dependent on chaplains to help address the growing numbers of troops in mental health distress.<\/p>\n<p>Hegseth has said he wants chaplains to focus more on God and less on therapeutic \u201cself-help and self-care.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The secretary has pushed other changes within the military\u2019s chaplain corps, which provides spiritual care to troops.<\/p>\n<p>He ordered chaplains, who are commissioned officers, to no longer wear their rank on their uniform but instead be identified by religious insignia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/66\/14\/808x539_cmsv2_2e41890e-87cf-5e49-9ec9-f7a84b5f0c49-9936614.jpg\" alt=\"The Pentagon pictured in Arlington, 26 September, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">The Pentagon pictured in Arlington, 26 September, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Defence Department also slashed the number of religious affiliations it officially recognises, down to 31 from more than 200 previously recognised traditions.<\/p>\n<p>The list no longer includes atheists, Unitarian Universalists, pagans and Wiccans.<\/p>\n<p>Hegseth spoke directly to chaplains in his address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Using Christian-inflected language, he said: \u201cLive your calling. Stand firm. Preach truth. Minister to the flock.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He then quoted from the Bible: \u201cThe Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Hegseth announces review of US forces in Europe as he lambasts NATO allies in Brussels meeting<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Rutte tries to downplay Pete Hegseth&#8217;s blistering attack on NATO<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  US Defence Secretary Hegseth warns of &#8216;invasion&#8217; on European shores in D-Day speech<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Pete Hegseth<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Pentagon<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" 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class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/64\/82\/320x180_cmsv2_bacc2542-fa35-5a2c-ae5a-e041ea804a95-9936482.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez addresses the Congress of Deputies.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish lawmakers reject government housing measure amid protests<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2930377-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930377\" data-cid=\"9936285\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930377-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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id=\"abe-2930543-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930543\" data-cid=\"9937436\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930543-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/74\/36\/320x180_cmsv2_c1e74c78-72e7-577d-b58d-766b95873f6d-9937436.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Monday, June , in Evian-les-Bains, France.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    G7 agrees 100 million-barrel emergency oil release amid US pressure<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930423-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 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id=\"abe-2930377-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/62\/85\/320x180_cmsv2_1edd522f-3bcd-5c0e-8758-76320e884a0f-9936285.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukrainian forces capturing two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Russia\u2019s Kursk border region, 11 January, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Seoul warns of &#8216;further measures&#8217; if Kyiv refuses public apology<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930535-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930535\" data-cid=\"9937355\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930535-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/67\/65\/320x180_cmsv2_17f15d06-3813-59ee-8026-3b561b702940-9936765.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"aircraft carrier\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US sends third carrier group to Gulf in biggest buildup since 2003<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930377-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930377\" data-cid=\"9936285\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Seoul warns of &#8216;further measures&#8217; if Kyiv refuses public apology<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930191-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930191\" data-cid=\"9935492\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    New cameras show how many birds are killed by offshore wind turbines<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929918-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929918\" data-cid=\"9933987\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How the EU\u2019s new cabin baggage rules will work \u2013 and when they start<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930107-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930107\" data-cid=\"9934876\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Lost in translation: Montenegro&#8217;s EU accession faces language barrier<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930281-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930281\" data-cid=\"9935914\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Musk returns to Trump administration to co-lead Pentagon war study<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is launching an office of religious affairs, the latest of his faith-related reforms at the Pentagon.He announced in a speech on Wednesday that the office will help offer \u201cfirst-class religious support\u201d and will report directly to him.\u201cOur department is, you might say, putting on the full armour of God, because while we wage physical war, we all know the real battle is spiritual,\u201d he said.Hegseth has infused his evangelical Christianity into his leadership of the Pentagon, hosting worship services for employees and often speaking of the United States as a Christian nation.The Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) will advocate for military chaplains and religious support \u201cat the highest level of the Department,\u201d according to a Pentagon statement.It will not \u201ccompel religious participation, favour one faith, or diminish the rights of personnel of any faith or lack thereof.\u201dSome criticism of the initiative surfaced quickly.The Pentagon \u201cowes it to the nation\u2019s service members to defend religious freedom,\u201d said Rachel Laser, head of Americans United for Separation of Church, which has sued the Pentagon over its worship services.\u201cHegseth\u2019s latest announcement violates that promise by elevating Christianity to an even higher role in shaping US military policy.\u201dOther federal agencies have had religious or faith-based offices, which were established under President George W. Bush and were continued in different forms under the Obama and Biden administrations.President Donald Trump established a White House Faith Office and had a similar effort during his first term.Shaun Casey, a religion scholar, led the State Department\u2019s Office of Religion and Global Affairs during the Obama administration.The office did not promote religion or spiritual well-being, he said. \u201cIt was there to understand what were the political implications of lived religion in the various hot spots around the world.\u201dThe leader of the new office has not been named. A Pentagon memo said the religious affairs director will coordinate spiritual resources, including \u201cfaith-based homeschool support for military families.\u201dHegseth has also pushed the military school system to introduce more coursework that draws from conservative and Christian influences.The memo mentions \u201cfaith-based initiatives supporting Department-wide suicide reduction.\u201dIn recent years, the military has become increasingly dependent on chaplains to help address the growing numbers of troops in mental health distress.Hegseth has said he wants chaplains to focus more on God and less on therapeutic \u201cself-help and self-care.\u201dThe secretary has pushed other changes within the military\u2019s chaplain corps, which provides spiritual care to troops.He ordered chaplains, who are commissioned officers, to no longer wear their rank on their uniform but instead be identified by religious insignia.The Defence Department also slashed the number of religious affiliations it officially recognises, down to 31 from more than 200 previously recognised traditions.The list no longer includes atheists, Unitarian Universalists, pagans and Wiccans.Hegseth spoke directly to chaplains in his address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Using Christian-inflected language, he said: \u201cLive your calling. Stand firm. Preach truth. Minister to the flock.\u201dHe then quoted from the Bible: \u201cThe Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me?\u201d<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/10\/02\/pete-hegseth-creates-pentagon-office-of-religious-affairs-reporting-directly-to-him&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/66\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_74670b81-e59a-5ed5-bf42-7d425370b5a2-9936614.jpg&#8221;] Democratic Republic Of Congo DR Congo Ebola outbreak killed more than 4,000: official figures No Comment French students clash with police as school protests spread nationwide Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | October 2nd, 2026 \u2013 Evening Tech News The solar system will fall apart far sooner than anyone thought, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2176173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2176173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2176173"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2176173\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2176173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2176173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2176173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}