Politics

Hegseth Reposts Christian Nationalist Video

AUG 11 2025·Updated AUG 12 2025

Story

Above: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outside the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug.7, 2025. Image credit: Eric Lee/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Facts

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week reposted a CNN video featuring Christian nationalist pastor Doug Wilson, who advocates for repealing the 19th Amendment that guarantees women the right to vote.
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Wilson co-founded the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) and believes families should vote as male-headed households, with husbands typically casting the votes for their families.
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Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that Hegseth is a "proud member of a church affiliated with" Wilson's network and stated the Secretary "appreciates many of Wilson's writings and teachings."
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Wilson has also written extensively defending aspects of Southern slavery, claiming it was based on mutual affection and benefited both blacks and whites in his 1996 pamphlet, titled "Southern Slavery as It Was."
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The pastor also advocates for recriminalizing homosexuality and has stated that biblical punishment for homosexuality includes death or exile, though he suggests there are alternative punishments.
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Hegseth recently announced the $10 million reinstalling of a Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, called the "Reconciliation Monument," that was removed in 2023 over criticism that it glorifies the Southern cause.
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The Spin

Democratic narrative

Pete Hegseth's history of racism and misogyny makes his ties to Pastor Doug Wilson unsurprising. He's scrubbed Pentagon sites of Jackie Robinson and Navajo Code Talkers, restored racist monuments, and purged women from military leadership. His amplification of a video from Wilson's church aligns perfectly with his culture-war obsessions and Christian nationalist leanings.

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Republican narrative

The media's rush to tie Pete Hegseth to Pastor Wilson's extreme views is a tired guilt-by-association tactic, lumping all Christian conservatives into a radical box. Hegseth's focus on removing woke elements from the military restores integrity and America, a Christian-majority nation, allows believers to hold their faith freely. His actions align with protecting religious liberty for all, not imposing Christian nationalism.

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Limited Coverage

This story currently has limited reporting from right-wing sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.