Pete Hegseth compares media to Pharisees, ancient Jewish sect derided by Christians

The Jerusalem Post, as a publication deeply rooted in Jewish discourse, closely monitors the use of religious and historical terminology in public life, especially when it carries potential for misunderstanding or offense. The recent comparison of the media to Pharisees by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as reported by JTA, warrants careful consideration from this perspective.

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There’s an awful lot about Pharisees in there.

Hegseth's remarks, made during a press briefing, framed the Pharisees as "so-called and self-appointed elites of their time" who "scrutinized every good act in order to find a violation, only looking for the negative." He drew a parallel to what he perceives as the "legacy Trump-hating press," suggesting their "politically motivated animus" blinds them to the achievements of American military personnel.

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And when you see someone, especially somebody who has such a dogmatic take on faith that they bring it into public life, being willing to attach themselves to this administration for the purposes of gaining power, it is alarmingly resonant with some New Testament themes, and not in a good way.

From a Jewish perspective, the term "Pharisees" is complex. While they were a significant group in ancient Judaism, their portrayal in the New Testament as hypocrites has led to a negative connotation in Christian tradition. This historical baggage means that invoking the term, even without explicit antisemitic intent, can be deeply problematic and offensive to many Jews. The comparison, therefore, risks not only mischaracterizing the media but also perpetuating harmful stereotypes. It is a reminder of how historical religious terminology can become entangled with contemporary political rhetoric, often with unintended but significant consequences.

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The Pharisees - the so-called and self-appointed elites of their time - they were there to witness, to write everything down, to report.