Controversy in Washington: The head of the Pentagon compares journalists to the enemies of Jesus

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparked a major controversy by invoking biblical passages to attack the media, going so far as to compare journalists to adversaries of Jesus Christ. This outburst comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the war against Iran and increasingly strained relations between the Trump administration and the press.

During a speech, Hegseth accused the media of biased coverage of the Israeli-American conflict with Iran, denouncing a constant hostility towards the president Donald TrumpTo support his claims, he referred to biblical figures, evoking those who "plot how to destroy him," drawing a direct parallel with journalists.

These statements come amid already tense relations between the government and the media, particularly due to legal disputes related to Pentagon accreditation rules. The administration is seeking to further restrict journalists' access, a move sharply criticized by several press organizations.

The controversy also took on a religious dimension, as Pope Leo XIII condemned the use of religious references for political and military purposes. The pontiff, the first pope born in the United States, was critical of the ongoing war, further widening the rift with Washington.

Beyond the immediate reactions, these remarks illustrate the escalating tensions in the American public debate, where issues of security, religion, and freedom of the press are increasingly intertwined. They could also reinforce criticism of the handling of communications surrounding the conflict.

In an already unstable international context, this controversy risks further fueling internal divisions in the United States, while drawing attention to the role of the media and the place of religious discourse in the political sphere.