Hegseth’s Faith and the War in Iran: Concerns Rise Over Religious Influence at the Pentagon
Since assuming the role of Secretary of Defense in January 2025, Pete Hegseth has increasingly integrated his conservative evangelical beliefs into the Pentagon, sparking debate about the separation of church and state within the U.S. Military. As the U.S. And Israel engage in conflict with Iran, scrutiny has intensified regarding the potential influence of Hegseth’s faith on military strategy and morale.
Pentagon Practices Reflect Hegseth’s Beliefs
Hegseth has instituted several practices reflecting his religious views. These include hosting monthly Christian worship services for Pentagon employees and incorporating Bible verses into departmental promotional videos. He frequently asserts the U.S. Was founded as a Christian nation and encourages troops to embrace faith, raising concerns about the military’s commitment to secularism and religious pluralism.
Rhetoric and the Iran Conflict
During a recent Pentagon press briefing, Hegseth referred to Iranian clerics as “the mullahs,” and recited Psalm 144, stating, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” This rhetoric has fueled concerns that Hegseth views the conflict through a religious lens. In a CBS interview, Hegseth stated the U.S. Is “fighting religious fanatics who seek a nuclear capability in order for some religious Armageddon,” and affirmed his personal faith, encouraging troops to “lean into their faith, rely on God.”
Historical References and Ideological Alignment
Hegseth has a history of defending the Crusades, referring to them positively in his 2020 book, American Crusade, and displaying imagery related to the Crusades through tattoos, including the Jerusalem Cross and the phrase “Deus Vult” (“God wills it”).
Concerns from Critics and Watchdog Groups
Matthew D. Taylor, a scholar at Georgetown University, expressed alarm, stating that the U.S. Engaging in war with a Muslim country under Hegseth’s leadership is a scenario critics warned about prior to and during his appointment. Taylor believes Hegseth’s rhetoric could exacerbate tensions and reinforce animosity towards the U.S. Within Iran.
Claims that U.S. Military commanders were telling troops the war fulfilled biblical prophecies regarding Armageddon and the return of Christ went viral shortly after the conflict began. The Associated Press has not been able to verify these claims, which originated with Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. The Pentagon declined to comment on the allegations. Several major religion watchdog groups, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, reported not receiving similar complaints.
Changes to Military Policy
Hegseth’s leadership has coincided with policy changes aligned with his conservative Christian worldview, including banning transgender troops, curtailing diversity initiatives, and reviewing women in combat roles. He has as well pledged to reform the military chaplain corps, seeking to renew their religious focus, which he believes has been diminished by “political correctness and secular humanism.”
The CREC and Christian Nationalism
Hegseth’s church network, the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), holds patriarchal views, opposing women in leadership and advocating for the criminalization of homosexuality. Hegseth has shared content from CREC pastors, including one opposing women’s suffrage. Wilson, a prominent leader within the CREC, has preached at the Pentagon at Hegseth’s invitation and has questioned Muslim immigration to the United States.
Looking Ahead
As the conflict in Iran continues, the intersection of Hegseth’s faith and his role as Secretary of Defense will likely remain a subject of intense scrutiny. The debate highlights the complexities of religious freedom, military secularism, and the potential for personal beliefs to influence national security policy.