Defense Secretary Hegseth’s ‘Pharisee’ Attack Echoes Anti-Jewish Stereotypes

At a briefing on April 16, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth lashed out at journalists criticizing the war with Iran, accusing them of acting like “Pharisees.” He meant to paint the press as self-righteous, legalistic elites who ignore facts to push their own agenda. But this biblical insult carries a heavy and troubling history that Hegseth either ignored or chose to weaponize.

The Pharisees were a Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, instrumental in shaping Judaism as the faith of the common people. Unlike the priestly Sadducees, who were the wealthy elite, Pharisees promoted synagogue worship, Torah study, and the Oral Law’s authority. They represented the religious beliefs of most Jews at the time and laid the groundwork for Rabbinic Judaism, which survives today.

Christian Gospels portray Pharisees negatively, often as hypocrites opposing Jesus. This portrayal has fueled two millennia of anti-Jewish stereotypes, conflating Pharisees with Jewish people broadly. As scholar Amy-Jill Levine noted, these stereotypes are not just historical—they continue to shape harmful attitudes toward Jews today.

By slapping the “Pharisee” label on the press, Hegseth echoes this long history of anti-Jewish rhetoric, reducing a complex religious group to a caricature of self-righteousness and hypocrisy. This is not a neutral or harmless metaphor. It perpetuates damaging myths that have contributed to discrimination and violence against Jews.

Hegseth’s attack also misrepresents the Pharisees’ actual role as religious reformers who made Judaism accessible to everyday people. The irony is stark: the Pharisees were far from the elite oppressors Hegseth implies. Instead, they championed community, learning, and resilience—values that stand in sharp contrast to the authoritarian overreach we see from figures like Hegseth himself.

This incident is part of a broader pattern where political figures weaponize religious and cultural symbols without regard for historical truth or the impact on marginalized communities. When leaders trade in stereotypes and coded language, they contribute to a climate of intolerance and division.

We call out Hegseth not just for his reckless rhetoric but for the dangerous legacy it taps into. Understanding the real history behind terms like “Pharisee” is essential to challenging the bigotry they can mask. Accountability means recognizing when language is not just offensive but part of a broader pattern of prejudice.

The press’s role is to hold power to account, not to be smeared with centuries-old slurs. Hegseth’s Pharisee comment is a stark reminder that in today’s political landscape, ignorance and prejudice remain tools of those in power resisting scrutiny.