Pentagon creates new 'Office of Religious Affairs'
FILE-Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces a new Office of Religious Affairs as he gives a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2026 in Quantico, Virginia. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is starting an office of religious affairs as part of his faith-related changes at the Pentagon.
Hegseth said in a speech Wednesday that the office will facilitate offering "first-class religious support" and will report directly to him.
"Office of Religious Affairs"
What they're saying:
In a statement from the Pentagon obtained by The Associated Press, the federal agency said the Office of Religious Affairs, or ORA, will advocate for military chaplains and religious support "at the highest level of the Department. It will not "compel religious participation, favor one faith, or diminish the rights of personnel of any faith or lack thereof."
A leader of the new office has not been named. And the Pentagon memo said the religious affairs director will coordinate spiritual resources, including "faith-based homeschool support for military families."
RELATED: Rep. Thomas Massie moves to impeach Pete Hegseth over Iran war
The AP reported that other federal government agencies have had religious or faith-based offices, which were created under President George W. Bush and were continued in various 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 in office.
The other side:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the office was met with criticism by some.
Rachel Laser, head of Americans United for Separation of Church, told the AP that the Pentagon "owes it to the nation’s service members to defend religious freedom," which has sued the Pentagon over its worship services.
"Hegseth’s latest announcement violates that promise by elevating Christianity to an even higher role in shaping U.S. military policy," Laser added.
According to the AP, Hegseth has initiated other changes within the military’s chaplain corps, which offers spiritual support to military troops.
Hegseth ordered chaplains, who are commissioned officers, to no longer wear their rank on their uniform but instead be identified by a religious badge.
Additionally, the Defense Department also cut the number of religious associations it officially recognizes, down to 31 from over 200 previously recognized traditions. The list no longer includes atheists, Unitarian Universalists, pagans and Wiccans.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, which obtained a statement from the Pentagon about The Office of Religious Affairs. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.