What's happened
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a social media post endorsing a Christian nationalist pastor with extreme views on women and religion. The post highlights his personal connections to controversial religious figures and activities within the Pentagon, raising concerns about religious influence in government. The story is current as of Fri, 15 Aug 2025.
What's behind the headline?
The promotion of Pastor Doug Wilson's views by Pete Hegseth signals a significant intertwining of religious extremism and military influence. Wilson's advocacy for Christian nationalism and his opposition to women's suffrage, combined with Hegseth's active endorsement, suggest a deliberate effort to embed religious ideology into government and military spheres. This raises concerns about the separation of church and state, especially given Wilson's influence in establishing churches and educational institutions aligned with his beliefs. The timing of Hegseth's social media activity, amid his role in the Pentagon and his hosting of prayer services, indicates a strategic move to normalize and expand Christian nationalist ideas within federal institutions. This development could lead to increased religious polarization and influence over policy decisions, potentially undermining secular governance and equal rights. The story underscores the importance of scrutinizing religious influence in government, especially when it promotes exclusionary and extremist views that threaten democratic principles.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Hegseth's social media post endorsing Wilson's views received widespread attention, with some praising and others alarmed by the promotion of Christian nationalist ideas. The article highlights Hegseth's personal connections to Wilson's church and his attendance at its services, including the inaugural Washington church. It also notes Wilson's controversial stance on women's voting rights and military roles, as well as his broader political ambitions for a 'Christian America 2.0.' AP News emphasizes Hegseth's deep ties to Wilson's movement, including hosting prayer services at the Pentagon and his membership in Wilson-affiliated churches. Both sources detail Wilson's fringe views and his influence within evangelical circles, illustrating how Hegseth's endorsement aligns with a broader trend of religious activism within the U.S. military and government. The coverage contrasts the supportive tone from Wilson and Hegseth with concerns raised by critics about the potential erosion of secular governance and the normalization of extremist religious ideologies in national institutions.
How we got here
Hegseth, a prominent Trump supporter and member of a church affiliated with Pastor Doug Wilson's CREC, has publicly expressed support for Wilson's views, including opposition to women's voting rights and military roles for women. Wilson advocates for Christian nationalism and has a history of fringe views, including praising slavery and opposing gay marriage. Hegseth's attendance at Wilson's church and his promotion of Wilson's videos reflect his close ties to this religious movement, which has gained influence within the Trump-era political landscape.
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Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American government official and former television personality who has served since 2025 as the 29th United States secretary of defense.
Hegseth studied politics at Princeton University, where he was the publi