Defense Secretary Hegseth Promotes Combative Christianity in the Military

Experts and veterans raise concerns over Hegseth's efforts to inject more religious sentiments into the armed forces.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:18pm

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A solitary military officer stands in a dimly lit Pentagon hallway, the scene bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, capturing a sense of quiet contemplation and unease.The defense secretary's push to inject his personal religious views into the military raises concerns about the erosion of pluralism and diversity within America's armed forces.Quantico Today

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has increasingly used his position to promote his controversial brand of combative Christianity within the U.S. military. He has presided over prayer services, revamped the military's Chaplain Corps, and made numerous public statements invoking his faith in relation to military operations. While the Pentagon defends Hegseth's actions as embracing America's Christian heritage, some experts and veterans worry this threatens to divide the armed forces.

Why it matters

Hegseth's moves to inject more explicit religious sentiments into the military raise concerns about the ideological consolidation of the armed forces. There are worries this could undermine the military's diversity and representation of the broader American public.

The details

Hegseth has presided over prayer services in the Pentagon led by controversial Christian pastors, revamped the military's Chaplain Corps, and official Defense Department social media posts often amplify ultra-conservative Christian views. He has frequently invoked his faith during press briefings on military operations, and has enacted policies that ban transgender troops and reevaluate women's roles in combat.

  • On March 10, Hegseth referenced Psalm 144 from the Bible during a press briefing.
  • In September, Hegseth spoke of prayer, Jesus and 'all precious souls' at a gathering of generals and admirals.
  • This past spring, Hegseth began a monthly prayer service at the Pentagon, inviting controversial Christian figures to deliver sermons.

The players

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. Secretary of Defense who has increasingly used his position to promote his combative brand of Christianity within the military.

Matthew Taylor

A visiting scholar at Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion Peace and World Affairs who is concerned about Hegseth's actions.

Fred Wellman

An Army veteran running for Congress in Missouri who criticized Hegseth for using official Pentagon facilities and channels to promote his religion.

Nancy Lacore

A retired Navy rear admiral running for Congress in South Carolina's 1st District who said Hegseth's actions send a troubling message that not all troops belong.

Kingsley Wilson

The Pentagon press secretary who defended Hegseth's actions as embracing America's Christian heritage.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's extremely concerning the way that he is operating. It's concerning to me as a Christian, and it's concerning to me as an American.”

— Matthew Taylor, Visiting Scholar, Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion Peace and World Affairs

“Hegseth is using his official position to make his religion the official one of the Department of Defense using official facilities, communications channels and personnel. This must end and must be investigated.”

— Fred Wellman, Army Veteran, Congressional Candidate

“Inviting Wilson 'sends a clear and troubling message to our troops: not all of you belong. That is wrong, and it is not the military I served in—where diversity was our strength and unity was how we got the job done.'”

— Nancy Lacore, Retired Navy Rear Admiral, Congressional Candidate

“The Christian faith is woven deeply into the fabric of our nation. Despite the Left's efforts to remove our Christian heritage from our great nation, Secretary Hegseth is among those who embrace it.”

— Kingsley Wilson, Pentagon Press Secretary

What’s next

The Pentagon is facing growing calls to investigate Hegseth's actions and ensure the military remains diverse and representative of all Americans, not just those who share the defense secretary's specific religious views.

The takeaway

Hegseth's promotion of his combative Christian ideology within the U.S. military raises serious concerns about the potential for increased division and the erosion of the armed forces' traditional commitment to religious pluralism and ideological diversity. As the nation's top defense official, Hegseth's actions threaten to undermine the military's core values and mission.