Pete Hegseth draws Jesus resurrection parallel to Easter Sunday Iran rescue
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War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth drew parallels between the rescue mission of an Air Force officer shot down in Iran on Good Friday and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Hegseth spoke Monday at a news conference focused on President Donald Trump’s Easter weekend rescue mission. He described how the airman “evaded capture for more than a day by climbing rugged ridges while being hunted by the enemy.”
“When he was finally able to activate his emergency transponder, his first message was simple and powerful. He sent a message: ‘God is good,'” Hegseth said. “In that moment of isolation and danger, his faith and fighting spirit shone through.”
Hegseth continued to describe the airman’s experience, suggesting that it was a spiritual experience for the soldier.
TRUMP PRESENTED THE AIRMEN RESCUE MISSION, SAID IRAN “WILL BE ELIMINATED IN ONE NIGHT”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
“You see, on a Friday – Good Friday – he was shot all Saturday, hiding in a cave – in a crevice – and was rescued on Sunday,” he said. “He flew from Iran at sunrise on Easter Sunday, a pilot reborn. All home and accountable. A nation rejoices. God is good.”
Throughout the press conference, Trump also thanked God for the success of the rescue mission, repeatedly claiming that “God is watching over us.”
‘GOD IS GOOD’: INSIDE HIGH-RISK US MISSION TO RESCUE A WOUNDED AIRMAN SHOT IN IRAN
President Donald Trump combined press pranks with the White House Easter Egg Roll tradition on Monday. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg)
On Friday, Iran shot down an F-15EF-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet. The pilot and weapons systems officer were ejected. A rescue mission was immediately launched and the pilot was rescued later that day.
The Iranian government soon became aware of the US military crash and posted the photos online. Meanwhile, the weapons systems officer evaded capture by hiding in a mountain crevice. He climbed 7,000 feet to his hideout and remained lost for approximately 48 hours before being rescued by a coordinated effort involving 155 aircraft.
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An image of the wreckage and remains of the F-15 fighter jet shot down in Iran on April 05, 2026 is seen. (Islamic Revolutionary Guard/Anatolia via Getty Images)
“No American lives were lost,” Hegseth said. “We leave no one behind. And that’s not luck. It’s the result of unparalleled training, superior technology, unbreakable warrior ethos and sheer American courage. Our special operators, pilots and support teams performed near-perfectly and were lethal under fire.”
“Ask any Iranian soldier who dared to get near that pilot before or during a mission. Death from above. Our troops turned a potential tragedy into a resounding demonstration of America’s resolve and capability.”
