Conservative Republicans Warn Against MAGA's 'Holy War' Rhetoric

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others in the MAGA movement are promoting Trump's war against Iran as a fight for fundamentalist Christianity, drawing criticism from conservatives and the Pope.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:54am

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A dimly lit government office with a single figure seated at a desk, the room bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of solitude and contemplation.As political rhetoric becomes increasingly divisive, the solemn silence of a government office reflects the growing tensions within the Republican party.NYC Today

In a column, New York Times writer Frank Bruni warns that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others in the MAGA movement are promoting President Donald Trump's war against Iran as a fight for fundamentalist Christianity, which conservative GOP Sen. Barry Goldwater and Pope Leo XIV have criticized as dangerous rhetoric. Bruni notes that the Pope has publicly rebuked the Trump Administration's assertion of divine approval for the Iran conflict.

Why it matters

This story highlights the growing divide within the Republican party, as some conservative figures warn against the MAGA movement's use of religious rhetoric to justify military action. It also shows the Catholic Church's opposition to framing the Iran conflict as a 'holy war', which could further inflame tensions and undermine diplomatic efforts.

The details

In the 1980s, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. said of President Ronald Reagan's foreign policy, 'God is on our side.' Conservative GOP Sen. Barry Goldwater, an ardent Reagan supporter, called out such rhetoric as dangerous. Now, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others in the MAGA movement are promoting President Trump's war against Iran as a fight for fundamentalist Christianity, which New York Times columnist Frank Bruni views as a troubling trend. Pope Leo XIV has publicly rebuked the Trump Administration's assertion of divine approval for the Iran conflict, stating 'God does not bless any conflict' and that Jesus 'does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.'

  • In the 1980s, Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. made his comments about Reagan's foreign policy.
  • On April 10, 2026, Pope Leo XIV issued a social media post criticizing the Trump Administration's claims of divine approval for the Iran conflict.
  • On April 13, 2026, New York Times columnist Frank Bruni published his column warning about the MAGA movement's 'holy war' rhetoric.

The players

Jerry Falwell Sr.

The late reverend who said 'God is on our side' regarding President Reagan's foreign policy in the 1980s.

Barry Goldwater

A conservative GOP senator and ardent Reagan supporter who called out Falwell's rhetoric as dangerous.

Pete Hegseth

The current Defense Secretary who is promoting President Trump's war against Iran as a fight for fundamentalist Christianity.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope who has publicly rebuked the Trump Administration's assertion of divine approval for the Iran conflict.

Frank Bruni

A New York Times columnist who wrote a column warning about the MAGA movement's 'holy war' rhetoric.

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What they’re saying

“God is on our side.”

— Jerry Falwell Sr., Reverend

“God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

“The Christian mission had been 'distorted by a desire for domination, entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ.'”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

“Jesus 'does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.'”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

What’s next

The Pope's continued public rebukes of the Trump Administration's rhetoric could put further strain on the relationship between the Catholic Church and the U.S. government, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts regarding the Iran conflict.

The takeaway

This story highlights the growing divide within the Republican party, as some conservative figures warn against the MAGA movement's use of religious rhetoric to justify military action. It also demonstrates the Catholic Church's firm opposition to framing the Iran conflict as a 'holy war', which could further inflame tensions and undermine diplomatic solutions.