American Evangelicals’ Alarming Embrace of Political Violence Tied to Christian Nationalism

At a recent press briefing on the escalating conflict with Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made headlines for declaring “no quarter, no mercy” for America’s enemies. The phrase “no quarter” signals a refusal to accept surrender, a stark departure from established wartime norms. But what underpins such violent rhetoric? The answer may lie in the intersection of American evangelicalism, Christian nationalism, and political violence.

Hegseth’s faith community, rooted in fundamentalist evangelical Christianity, is part of a broader trend identified by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). Their 2025 political violence survey found that white evangelical Protestants are significantly more likely than other groups to justify political violence. While only 3% of Americans broadly endorse extreme acts like killing political opponents, the numbers rise sharply within evangelical circles, especially those who hold Christian nationalist beliefs.

PRRI’s data shows that 67% of white evangelical Protestants subscribe to Christian nationalism — the belief that America is fundamentally a Christian nation and should be governed accordingly. This worldview correlates strongly with authoritarian leanings: half of Christian nationalist adherents favor authoritarian leadership, which historically legitimizes violent crackdowns on dissent.

The embrace of political violence among Christian nationalists is not marginal. About 30% of adherents agree that true patriots may need to resort to violence to “save our country.” This is nearly double the national average. Sympathizers with Christian nationalism also show elevated support for violent resistance. These attitudes dovetail with the rise of QAnon and other extremist movements that romanticize violence as a tool to restore a perceived lost moral order.

Independent research confirms these trends. Scholars like James A. Piazza link Christian nationalist beliefs to apocalyptic ideation — the belief in an impending cosmic battle between good and evil — which fuels hatred and legitimizes violence against perceived enemies. This ideological framework helps explain why political violence is increasingly normalized in certain evangelical communities.

The implications are urgent. As political power shifts and partisan tensions rise, the willingness of significant religious groups to endorse violence threatens democratic norms and public safety. Hegseth’s “no quarter” declaration is not just reckless rhetoric; it reflects a broader cultural shift toward authoritarianism and militant religious nationalism that demands accountability and vigilance.

Only Clowns Are Orange will continue to track these dangerous trends and expose how extremist beliefs within the evangelical movement are fueling political violence and undermining democracy. We do not stand neutral while authoritarianism and violent fanaticism grow unchecked.