Defense Secretary Hegseth Integrates Evangelical Beliefs into Pentagon Operations

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has integrated aspects of his conservative evangelical beliefs into Pentagon operations and public statements, particularly concerning the military chaplain corps and rhetoric regarding Iran. This integration includes monthly Christian worship services, specific policy changes within the military, and the use of theological framing in public commentary on geopolitical issues. These actions have drawn criticism from various organizations and experts, prompting requests for investigation into potential violations of religious neutrality.

Secretary Hegseth's Religious Views and Public Statements

Secretary Hegseth identifies as a conservative evangelical Christian and has publicly stated his belief that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation, encouraging troops to embrace God and lean into their faith. He has tattoos of the Jerusalem Cross and "Deus Vult," identifying the latter as a "rallying cry of Christian knights." In his 2020 book "American Crusade," he defended the Crusades, stating that beneficiaries of Western civilization should "thank a crusader."

"God also stands with the people of Israel against their enemies and blesses those who bless Israel," and "America should stand with Israel because we honor God and love freedom."

During a Pentagon press briefing, he recited Psalm 144: "Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle." When questioned about viewing the conflict in Iran in religious terms, a Defense Department spokesperson referenced a CBS interview where Hegseth stated, "We're fighting religious fanatics who seek a nuclear capability in order for some religious Armageddon," adding, "from my perspective... I'm a man of faith who encourages our troops to lean into their faith, rely on God."

Hegseth is affiliated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a network that holds views including restricting women from leadership roles and advocating for the criminalization of homosexuality. Pastor Doug Wilson, a co-founder of CREC and a self-identified Christian nationalist, preached at the Pentagon at Hegseth's invitation in February.

Influence on Military Policy and Pentagon Operations

Secretary Hegseth has initiated several policy changes and practices within the Department of Defense:

• Worship Services: He hosts monthly Christian worship services for military and civilian personnel at the Pentagon, all of which have been led by evangelicals. One such service, held on a Wednesday, was described as his first since the start of the Iran conflict.
• Promotional Materials: He has incorporated Bible verses into departmental promotional videos.
• Chaplain Corps Reform: Hegseth has committed to reforming the military's chaplain corps. He canceled the 2025 U.S. Army Spiritual Fitness Guide, stating his intent to renew chaplains' religious focus, which he described as having been minimized by "political correctness and secular humanism." Policy modifications include reducing religious affiliation codes from approximately 200 to 31 and requiring chaplains to display religious insignia instead of officer rank insignia. He described these changes as an effort to "make the chaplain corps great again."
• Other Policies: As head of the armed forces, Hegseth has implemented policies such as banning transgender troops, reducing diversity initiatives, and re-evaluating women in combat roles.
• Prayer for Violence: During a recent Pentagon religious service, Hegseth delivered a prayer that included a request for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy,” and stated, “Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation.” He attributed this prayer to a military chaplain, stating it was given to troops after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Rhetoric and Stance on Iran

Hegseth has a documented history of public statements expressing antipathy towards Iran, made in books, Fox News broadcasts, educational videos, and speeches.

Characterization of Iran

He has referred to Iran's Shiite Muslim clerics as "desperate and scrambling." In a 2017 PragerU video, he described Iran as "America’s mortal enemy." In his 2020 book, he wrote that Iran's leaders were "actively seeking the military means – especially nuclear weapons – to bring the West to its knees."

Addressing an Israeli audience in 2018, Hegseth referred to Iran as "the octopus," stating it has "many tentacles that the Iranian regime has in the world today, nefariously both for Israel and for the United States," and claimed Iran was building "a nuclear capacity which threatened the very existential existence of America."

Nuclear Deal Criticism

He criticized the Obama administration's interim nuclear deal in 2014 and the 2018 Iran nuclear deal, which he characterized as "treachery," alleging it created "an inevitable path to nuclear weapons" and funded a "hateful terrorist Iranian regime."

Calls for Aggressive Action

During his time as a Fox News guest and host, Hegseth advocated for aggressive action towards Iran. In 2020, he commented on the killing of Quds force commander Qassem Suleimani, suggesting further action against Iranian leadership. Following Iran's retaliatory missile strikes in 2020, he suggested it "could be the time to cripple their ability to do" obtain a nuclear bomb.

Controversies, Criticisms, and Allegations

Hegseth's integration of his Christian faith into his official role has generated criticism and formal complaints.

• Religious Extremism Concerns: Matthew D. Taylor, a Georgetown scholar specializing in religious extremism, stated that a U.S. military engagement against a Muslim country under Secretary Hegseth's leadership aligns with concerns he raised during Hegseth's appointment, adding that Hegseth's rhetoric could "inflame and reinforce" existing animosity.
• Allegations of Prophecy References: Mikey Weinstein, head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), reported receiving allegations from hundreds of troops that U.S. military commanders cited biblical prophecies regarding Armageddon and the return of Christ to troops after the conflict began. While Secretary Hegseth has not stated that the Iran conflict is part of Christian prophecy, some evangelical figures, such as Christian Zionist pastor John Hagee, have connected the conflict to prophecy. Weinstein declined to provide documentation for these claims, citing fears of retaliation among service members. Other religious watchdog groups have not reported similar complaints, and the Associated Press has not verified these claims. Thirty Democratic members of Congress have requested an investigation by the Pentagon inspector general into these claims.
• "Christian Nationalist Policy" Concerns: Political scientist Youssef Chouhoud noted the "intrusion of Christian nationalist policy" as a concern. Pastor Doug Wilson and Hegseth have expressed concerns regarding Muslim immigration to the U.S., with Wilson advocating for restrictions to maintain a predominantly Christian nation, and Hegseth noting growing Muslim birth rates in his book. Hegseth previously reposted a video from a CREC pastor who opposed women's suffrage.
• Alienation of Service Members: Retired U.S. Army Colonel and chaplain Rabbi Laurence Bazer commented that leadership using language exclusively from one faith tradition risks alienating service members, emphasizing the military's diverse composition as a strength. Military veterans have also informed The Guardian that Hegseth’s religious practices within the department could foster division and potentially weaken the military.
• "Toxic Leaders" Concern: Kristofer Goldsmith, an Iraq war veteran and CEO of the non-profit watchdog Task Force Butler, stated that an increase in Christian nationalists joining the military could lead to underperformance and “toxic leaders,” negatively impacting national security.
• Legal Challenges: Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed lawsuits against the defense and labor departments, seeking public records related to prayer services to determine whether the departments are maintaining religious neutrality and upholding workers’ religious freedom. Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United, stated that the federal government’s role is to serve the public, not to proselytize.
• Other Reported Views: Previous reports have documented Hegseth's advice to soldiers to disregard rules of engagement, his view on potential U.S. military involvement in a civil war, and anti-Muslim rhetoric in his published works, including conspiracy theories about Muslim immigration.

Views on Israel and Regional Conflicts

Hegseth's criticisms of Iran have often coincided with expressions of allegiance to Israel. In his 2020 book, he stated, "If you love America, you should love Israel. We share history, we share faith, and we share freedom," and positioned Israel as "enemy number one for both Islamists and international leftists."

In a 2018 speech in Jerusalem to Israeli government ministers, Hegseth rejected the "so-called two-state solution," asserting "there is one state here." He encouraged the annexation of "Judea and Samaria" (the West Bank) and advocated for the rebuilding of the Jewish temple on the Temple Mount, framing this as a potential "miracle" following other Zionist historical events. He appealed to "patriotic Americans, amongst evangelical Christians, amongst believers" for support in expanding Israel's borders.