Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has hosted a monthly Christian prayer and worship service at the Pentagon, the first since the Iran war began. He quoted warlike Scripture and prayed in Jesus' name. He read a prayer he said was shared with troops who captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. It asked for "overwhelming violence" against enemies. Government leaders often use broad religious language, but critics say Hegseth's specific evangelical framing feels new for his role. On Monday, Americans United for Separation of Church and State sued to obtain records about the Pentagon Christian services. Hegseth also announced chaplain reforms and cuts to the military's recognized religious affiliations.

Donald Trump has urged a staunchly anti-abortion Christian group to stand up for "innocent life." The Republican front-runner has repeatedly taken credit for the overturning of national abortion rights but said he wants to leave the issue to the states. The former president prerecorded a video that was shown at an event put on by The Danbury Institute, which is meeting in Indianapolis. Other in-person speakers doubled down on the newly-formed institute's anti-abortion stance, and one speaker called for a hard-line position against IVF. Trump has said he's proud of appointing Supreme Court justices who played a role in overturning Roe v. Wade and that he supports access to IVF.