India, April 16 -- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing backlash after quoting what appeared to be a Bible verse during a Pentagon prayer service; only for it to closely match a line from Pulp Fiction delivered by Samuel L Jackson.

According to Variety, Hegseth recited the passage while referring to a combat search-and-rescue mission in Iran, suggesting it was linked to Ezekiel 25:17.

During the prayer, Hegseth asked the audience to join him before reciting a passage about a "downed aviator" navigating "the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men."

He said the lines were associated with a military call sign, adding: "They call it CSAR 25:17, which I think is meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17," as reported by Variety....