Pete Hegseth’s Defense Department Prayer Rhetoric Rooted in Controversial Theocratic Church

Pete Hegseth, confirmed as Defense Secretary in early 2025, has made no secret of his deep ties to the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a conservative evangelical network with roots in Christian Reconstructionism. This movement advocates for a theocratic state governed by biblical law and Christian patriarchy — a far cry from the constitutional principle of church-state separation.

Hegseth’s public prayers and speeches, such as the March 2026 invocation calling for “every round [to] find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation,” reveal a worldview steeped in CREC theology. His rhetoric frames military conflict as a righteous battle against evil, echoing CREC co-founder Doug Wilson’s message that military success hinges on Christian faith and that the military’s enemies are “agents of the devil.”

The CREC network, headquartered in Moscow, Idaho, is built around Wilson’s Christ Church and its affiliated institutions, including homeschooling curricula, a publishing house, and a college. All promote the notion that Christians are fundamentally at war with secular society. Wilson has openly stated the goal of making his hometown “a Christian town” and insists that only Christians are qualified to hold political office.

This theology rejects religious pluralism and the constitutional establishment clause’s protections against state-sponsored religion. It embraces a rigid, patriarchal interpretation of scripture, with Wilson describing women’s roles in marriage as one of “receiving” and “surrendering.” The CREC’s model of “church planting” spreads these beliefs globally without centralized oversight, raising concerns about unchecked growth of extremist religious influence.

The CREC and Wilson have faced serious controversies, including Wilson’s past defense of slavery and multiple allegations of sexual abuse within the church community. Despite denials, investigative reporting has exposed a culture of abuse and silence, particularly affecting women.

Hegseth’s tenure as Defense Secretary has already reflected CREC influence. His 2025 policies banning transgender service members and removing LGBTQ+ icon Harvey Milk’s name from a Navy ship align with CREC’s conservative social agenda. His religious rhetoric and policy decisions signal a troubling fusion of extremist evangelical beliefs with military authority.

As the U.S. faces ongoing conflicts, Hegseth’s CREC-inspired worldview threatens to blur the line between church and state, militarizing faith in ways that undermine constitutional values and democratic pluralism. This is not just a matter of personal belief — it’s a direct challenge to the secular foundation of American governance and the inclusive principles the military is supposed to uphold.