On August 8, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ignited a firestorm by reposting a video on X featuring pastors from a Christian nationalist church advocating for the repeal of women’s right to vote. The move, reported by religionnews.com, has drawn sharp criticism, with progressive evangelical group Vote Common Good calling the ideas “very disturbing.” Hegseth’s actions, tied to his affiliation with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), have raised questions about his influence as a public figure, prompting heated debate on X.
The video, a CNN report examining CREC co-founder Doug Wilson, included a pastor urging the removal of women’s suffrage from the Constitution and another suggesting households vote as a unit, with husbands casting the ballot. Hegseth, a CREC member, captioned his repost, “All of Christ for All of Life,” amplifying the controversial views. The post garnered over 12,000 likes and 2,000 shares, with X users split—some praising his stance, others alarmed, posting, “A Defense Secretary promoting this? Unacceptable!”
Vote Common Good’s executive director, Doug Pagitt, condemned Hegseth, telling the Associated Press, “These are fringe Christian views, and it’s disturbing he’s amplifying them.” The backlash intensified due to Hegseth’s history of controversial actions, including hosting Christian prayer services at the Pentagon, where he invited his pastor, Brooks Potteiger, in May 2025, per nbcchicago.com. Invitations sent via government emails raised ethics concerns, fueling accusations of promoting Christian nationalism.
Hegseth’s Pentagon spokesman, Sean Parnell, defended him, stating, “The Secretary is a proud CREC member and appreciates Doug Wilson’s teachings.” This has only deepened the divide, with critics on X arguing, “He’s pushing a dangerous agenda,” while supporters counter, “He’s just sharing his faith.” The video’s content, including a congregant’s claim of submitting to her husband, has drawn particular ire, with @karlykingsley tweeting, “How can Hegseth lead women in uniform while endorsing this?”
The controversy coincides with Hegseth’s vocal support for traditional values, seen in his Fox News tenure and recent Tennessee Volunteers fandom, per Knox News. Yet, his Minnesota roots and elite education contrast with his adopted Southern identity, adding complexity to his public persona. The repost has sparked calls for accountability, with Pagitt urging scrutiny of Hegseth’s influence, per abcnews.go.com.
As the debate rages, Hegseth’s actions highlight tensions between personal beliefs and public office. Whether this marks a fleeting controversy or a defining moment for his tenure, the nation watches closely, with X ablaze over the implications.
