For some Christians, Hegseth's plan for public execution fits a biblical mandate

Oct 15, 2026 · Odette Yousef

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

For some Christians, Hegseth's plan for public execution fits a biblical mandate

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks at the Association of the United States Army 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 14.

Defense Secretary Hegseth's announcement of a livestreamed execution elicited reactions of disgust and condemnation from some faith leaders and politicians. But within his church, it's not an outlier.

(Image credit: Jim Watson)