America has a clear message for Trump and Hegseth: Scrap the religious rhetoric

NewsWorldAmericasUS politicsAmerica has a clear message for Trump and Hegseth: Scrap the religious rhetoricIn contrast to Trump and Hegseth, Americans view Pope Leo XIV positively as the pontiff has hit back at the administration, a new poll revealsRhian Lubin in New York Wednesday 06 May 2026 14:19 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2971484","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-hegseth-religious-language-poll-b2971484.html","title":"America has a clear message for Trump and Hegseth: Scrap the religious rhetoric"}}CloseHegseth compares media to Pharisees in the Bible for 'negative' press on Iran warSign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inboxGet our free Inside Washington emailGet our free Inside Washington emailEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_INSIDE_WASHINGTON","regTitle":"Inside Washington","subscriptionGroup":"inside_washington","subscriptionGroupId":"af764e04-87eb-45e6-a84b-a7455ba70a1e","type":"inside_washington","pathPrefix":"/news/world/americas/us-politics","associatedAuthors":["Eric Garcia","John Bowden"],"title":"Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox","mobileTitle":"Get our free Inside Washington email","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/insideWashington1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"receiveInsideWashingtonNews","regSourceSection":"US politics","r...