US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the creation of a new Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs, a move that has raised concerns about the imposition of a Christian nationalist agenda within the armed forces.
Hegseth, a former Fox News personality who has described critics as “beardos, weirdos, and wimps,” has been increasingly vocal about his religious beliefs since joining an evangelical church in 2018. He has framed the war on Iran as a modern crusade and instituted monthly prayer services at the Pentagon, sometimes blending Pulp Fiction with the Bible and praying for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
New Office Reports Directly to Hegseth
The new office will report directly to Hegseth, who said the military was putting on “the full armor of God.” While the Pentagon insists it will not “compel religious participation,” the announcement has alarmed advocacy groups.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which has sued the Pentagon over its worship services, expressed concern. “All of [Hegseth’s] actions combined with this latest announcement make clear that Hegseth is advancing a Christian Nationalist agenda in the military,” the group said in a statement.
Extremist Pastor Ties and Broader Agenda
Hegseth has close ties to Doug Wilson, an extremist pastor and self-described Christian nationalist who believes women should not be allowed to vote. Wilson has said his full vision for turning the US into a Christian theocracy may take about 250 years, but he is taking it step by step. His main focus now is banning abortion and same-sex marriage.
Hegseth invited Wilson to lead a worship service at the Pentagon in February and has amplified a CNN video where the pastor said women should submit to their husbands.
The influence of Christian nationalism extends beyond Hegseth. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley said in a 2024 speech that he is “advocating Christian nationalism” and has been pushing to overturn access to abortion medication. House Speaker Mike Johnson is connected to strongly Christian nationalist views. Meanwhile, JD Vance recently appeared on an evangelical podcast where he said he is doing as much of “God’s work as possible” and is OK “if that leads to the end times,” which are apparently “coming.”
The columnist, an atheist, noted that “the way things are going, the end times are beginning to sound appealing,” and suggested praying it starts with the end of this administration.
