Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Christian Rhetoric Raises Concerns Amid US-Iran War

Hegseth's evangelical views and efforts to bring them into the Pentagon spark worries about military pluralism and potential religious motivations for the conflict.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:15am

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Since becoming defense secretary, Pete Hegseth has incorporated his conservative evangelical Christian beliefs into the Pentagon, hosting monthly worship services, featuring Bible verses in promotional videos, and arguing the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation. This rhetoric has taken on new significance after the U.S. and Israel went to war with Iran, an Islamic theocracy, with Hegseth reciting Bible verses and warning against "religious fanatics." Experts warn Hegseth's views could inflame tensions and raise concerns about the military's secular mission and pluralism.

Why it matters

Hegseth's Christian nationalist views and efforts to bring them into the military leadership raise concerns that the war with Iran could be perceived as a religious conflict, potentially exacerbating tensions and undermining the military's commitment to religious pluralism. There are also worries that Hegseth's beliefs could influence policy decisions and reforms within the armed forces.

The details

Hegseth has a history of defending the Crusades and has two tattoos with crusader imagery. He has argued troops should embrace God and that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation. Since the war with Iran began, Hegseth has referred to the country's "religious fanatics" and recited a Bible verse about training hands for war. Allegations have also surfaced, though unverified, that U.S. military commanders told troops the war fulfilled biblical prophecies.

  • The U.S. and Israel went to war with Iran in early 2026.
  • Hegseth became defense secretary in 2025.

The players

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. defense secretary who has incorporated his conservative evangelical Christian beliefs into the Pentagon.

Matthew D. Taylor

A visiting scholar at Georgetown University who studies religious extremism and has been a frequent critic of Hegseth.

Mikey Weinstein

The head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a watchdog group that has received allegations from troops about U.S. military commanders citing biblical prophecies related to the war with Iran.

Doug Wilson

The co-founder of Hegseth's denomination, the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, who identifies as a Christian nationalist and preached at the Pentagon at Hegseth's invitation.

Rabbi Laurence Bazer

A retired U.S. Army colonel and chaplain who warned that Hegseth's efforts to renew the military chaplain corps' religious focus could make service members feel like outsiders.

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What they’re saying

“The U.S. voluntarily going to war against a Muslim country with the military under the leadership of Pete Hegseth is exactly the kind of scenario that people like me were warning about before the election and throughout his appointment process.”

— Matthew D. Taylor, Visiting scholar at Georgetown University

“We're fighting religious fanatics who seek a nuclear capability in order for some religious Armageddon. But from my perspective, I mean, obviously I'm a man of faith who encourages our troops to lean into their faith, rely on God.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary

“Prophetically, we're right on cue.”

— John Hagee, Christian Zionist pastor and head of Christians United for Israel

What’s next

The Pentagon inspector general has been asked to investigate the allegations that U.S. military commanders told troops the war with Iran fulfilled biblical prophecies.

The takeaway

Hegseth's incorporation of his conservative evangelical Christian beliefs into the Pentagon leadership raises serious concerns about the potential for the war with Iran to be perceived as a religious conflict, undermining military pluralism and fueling further tensions. His efforts to reform the military chaplain corps and promote a specific religious worldview within the armed forces are also troubling and could alienate service members of diverse faiths or no faith.