The Military Religious Freedom Foundation reported 34 complaints from 24 people about Kirtland Air Force Base gate guards in New Mexico using religious greetings over days and weeks. The group contacted the installation commander about those greetings.

Mikey Weinstein later said the practice ended within a few hours. Pete Hegseth then stated that the Air Force would confront the matter and would not yield to the group. Weinstein threatened a lawsuit over Hegseth’s description of the organization.