Pete Hegseth modeled his Pentagon prayer Wednesday on the Samuel L. Jackson biblical monologue from Pulp Fiction.
The next day at the Pentagon press podium, he said the U.S. military was “locked and loaded” to destroy Iran’s power grid and energy industry if the ceasefire collapses, a threat Amnesty International calls a war crime. Gen. Dan Caine announced the U.S. now claims authority to seize Iran-linked civilian shipping worldwide. Before leaving, Hegseth compared the reporters in the room to the Pharisees who plotted to kill Jesus.
Pope Leo XIV responded within the hour: “Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.” Call your representative through Resistbot and 5 Calls and tell them to support the articles of impeachment House Democrats filed against Hegseth this week.
We’ve emailed 7,000+ stories over 441 straight nights. The algorithm doesn’t always show them to you. Subscribe now at govbrief.today
#GovBriefToday #Resist
π¨172|π΄132|π¨206|π‘85|π‘91
Army Secretary Driscoll shuts down Soldier for Life social media accounts after right-wing backlash over post honoring Sen. Duckworth, a double-amputee combat pilot.
Today’s GovBrief News
Defense Secretary Hegseth threatens strikes on Iran's power grid and energy infrastructure if ceasefire collapses, naming targets international law treats as war crimes.
Source: The New York Times [gift link]
April 16, 2026
Israel and Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire after war killed nearly 2,200 Lebanese, with leaders headed to White House for first talks since 1983.
Source: The Associated Press
April 16, 2026
Trump nominates former deputy surgeon general Erica Schwartz to lead CDC, replacing fifth acting director Bhattacharya since 2024.
Source: Scientific America
April 16, 2026
FTC forces ad firms Dentsu, Publicis, and WPP to settle, barring brand-safety standards conservatives say hurt Breitbart and Musk's X.
Source: Ars Technica
April 16, 2026
Defense Secretary Hegseth recites Pulp Fiction-modeled prayer at Pentagon service, then compares Iran war journalists to Pharisees who criticized Jesus.
Source: The Hill
April 16, 2026
U.S. military expands authority to seize Iran-linked ships worldwide, listing oil, electronics, and machinery as potentially seizable contraband.
Source: The Associated Press
April 16, 2026
Federal judge reaffirms halt on above-ground White House ballroom construction, calling Trump's claim it implicates presidential safety "disingenuous."
Source: Newsweek
April 16, 2026
Acting ICE Director Lyons to leave May 31 after overseeing crackdowns that killed two American citizens in Minneapolis.
Source: NBC News
April 16, 2026
House defies Trump, votes 224-204 to extend Temporary Protected Status for 350,000 Haitians, with 10 Republicans joining Democrats.
Source: The Hill
April 16, 2026
Fine Arts Commission, stacked with Trump appointees, approves 250-foot triumphal arch that will dwarf Lincoln Memorial and obstruct Arlington Cemetery views.
Source: UPI
April 16, 2026
FAA caps O'Hare summer flights about 10% below airlines' 3,000-a-day plan, citing controller capacity and terminal construction.
Source: WGN Chicago
April 16, 2026
Transportation Secretary Duffy withholds $73 million from New York after state refuses to revoke commercial trucking licenses for non-citizens.
Source: WABC New York
April 16, 2026
Trump administration releases $3.4 billion in Second Avenue subway funding minutes before MTA lawsuit hearing, after seven-month DEI standoff.
Source: Gothamist
April 16, 2026
Treasury's terrorism-financing chief Burke bought oil and nuclear ETFs eight days before Iran strikes, while overseeing sanctions that move those markets.
Source: NOTUS
April 16, 2026
Hennepin County charges ICE agent Gregory Morgan with assault for pointing gun at drivers from unmarked vehicle during rush-hour traffic.
Source: KARE Minneapolis
April 16, 2026