Hegseth slammed for 'blasphemous' use of Bible passage in military recruitment drive

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has come under fire for a military “Send Me Tour” that draws on biblical verses and Christian scripture to recruit new soldiers. 

Hegseth visited Texas A&M University over the weekend as part of the tour, which is based on a well-known refrain from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah, Chapter 6, Verse 8, in which God asks, "Who shall I send?" and the prophet Isaiah replies, “Lord, I am here. Send me”.

Isaiah is a prophet for both Jews and Christians. Although the Quran does not explicitly mention him, some Islamic literature regards him as a prophet. 

Hegseth was filmed in front of a group of young college students, invoking Isaiah’s biblical language for a war chant.

Read more: Hegseth slammed for 'blasphemous' use of Bible passage in military recruitment drive