Hegseth compares media to Jewish biblical group that clashed with Jesus

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday complained about an “endless stream of garbage” from the media in its coverage of the Iran war, comparing the Pentagon press corps to the Pharisees, the biblical Jewish group that often clashed with Jesus.

“As I just can’t help but notice the endless stream of garbage, the relentlessly negative coverage you cannot resist peddling, despite the historic and important success of this effort and the success of our troops,” Hegseth said during a briefing at the Pentagon. “Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what side some of you are actually on.”

He also compared journalists to the Pharisees, saying he drew inspiration from a sermon in church on Sunday that relayed a biblical passage depicting Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath Day, which the Pharisees came to watch. 

“The Pharisees — the so-called and self-appointed elites of their time — they were there to witness, to write everything down, to report,” the Defense chief continued. “But … even though they witnessed a literal miracle, it didn’t matter. They were only there to explain away the goodness in pursuit of their agenda.”

He added that reporters “are just like these Pharisees,” as “politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors.”

Hegseth also touted public support for the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, casting them against what he claimed was an overly critical press.

“They see the success. They see the reality. And they don’t demand perfection,” he said of the public. “[The press] only seek the negative.”

The defense secretary has increasingly used his position to promote his combative, controversial brand of Christianity. 

Hegseth also has continuously clashed with the press more than a year into his tenure, seeking to ban so-called legacy outlets from the building and admonishing them for their coverage of the Iran war, now nearing the seven-week mark. 

Washington is now more than halfway through a two-week ceasefire with Iran and in the midst of a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

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