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By Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons
FOX News host Pete Hegseth’s nomination to become Trump’s secretary of defense is facing growing opposition, with reports highlighting serious allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. While these alarming accusations may in themselves be disqualifying, they are also far from the only reason for senators to reject Hegseth’s confirmation.
Hegseth’s deep ideological commitment to extremist Christian nationalism, if put in a position of great power and authority, would pose a serious threat to the right to religious freedom enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Hegseth’s well-established Christian nationalist views, by embracing the idea of America as a Christian nation with a geo-political mandate to advance a narrow religious agenda across the world, are directly opposed to the principles of religious liberty that have made the United States a model for diverse, multi-faith democracy. He has publicly praised the Crusades in his book “American Crusade”as a necessary effort to “push Islamism back” both culturally and militarily—alarmingly describing our current era as “much like the 11th century.”
Hegseth’s book and views perpetuate fear and division with inflammatory and discriminatory rhetoric. He argues that Islam is inherently violent and that the rise of Muslim communities in America represents an existential threat to the country. His harsh stance on immigration and refugees echoes the same xenophobic rhetoric that has fueled fear and division across the globe. By framing Muslims as enemies and refugees as invaders, Hegseth seeks to further divide Americans along lines of religious belief—and gleefully embraces the idea of destructive religious conflict.
His embrace of this harsh, polarized worldview in his two Crusader tattoos: a Jerusalem Cross, symbolizing the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, and “Deus Vult,” the Latin phrase meaning “God wills it,” which was used as a rallying cry for the Crusaders’ brutal campaigns.
Hegseth has advocated for parents to take their children out of government-funded schools and instead pursue homeschooling, classical education, or Christian schools as part of a broader vision of a Christian society where such extreme views are taught and normalized. This vision reflects the influence of Reformed Reconstructionism, a theology that advocates for a Christian theocracy, where secular government is subservient to biblical law.
Hegseth’s record on diversity within the military, an area that he would have direct influence over as secretary of defense, shows how his views could dangerously impact his actions and policies. He has criticized efforts to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion, including military initiatives that promote religious accommodation, and has argued that women should not serve in frontline military combat jobs. By advocating for a military that restricts opportunities based on religion or gender, Hegseth seeks to effectively treat millions of Americans as second-class citizens, forbidden from serving their country in the armed forces.
Currently, roughly 70 percent of active-duty personnel identify as Christian, with substantial numbers of atheists, agnostics, Jews, Muslims, and affiliates of Eastern religions in the ranks. Yet even among Christians, Hegseth’s extreme views are unusual and unpopular. Most people of faith in this country, including Christians, do not want to see the government dictate religious belief and restrict fundamental rights on the basis of religion.
The U.S. military‘s mission is to keep our country safe and to uphold our constitution—not to advance an extreme agenda that would make our institutions and citizens subservient to a religious agenda. Hegseth’s views indicate that far from faithfully serving constitutional democracy and acting in the best interests of our armed forces, he could seek to warp the military to suit his own goals and beliefs. His vision for the military and our government is rooted in a dangerous fusion of faith and force, making him a threat to the freedoms and safety of all Americans, no matter their faiths or beliefs.
As senators consider his nomination, they must recognize that a man who champions religious warfare and sees the diversity of our military as a weakness instead of a strength is not fit to lead the Pentagon. The United States is built on the idea that all people, regardless of their faith, should be free to worship as they choose, and to live equally together without fear of coercion by their government. Hegseth seems to reject that idea – and so he cannot be trusted to protect and fight for it.
Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons is the Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy at Interfaith Alliance.