US Defence Secretary’s Post Sparks Debate Over Women’s Voting Rights

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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has attracted significant attention after sharing a video linked to a Christian nationalist church promoting views opposing women’s right to vote.

On Thursday evening, Hegseth reposted a video on X (formerly Twitter) featuring a group of pastors affiliated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). The video includes statements advocating the repeal of women’s suffrage in the United States Constitution. One pastor suggests that, ideally, voting would be conducted by households rather than individuals.

The video also features a female church member stating that she submits to her husband. Hegseth’s post was accompanied by the phrase, “All of Christ for All of Life,” indicating his support for the church’s religious principles.

The video is part of a longer CNN report that profiles Doug Wilson, cofounder of the CREC, a denomination known for its conservative religious views. Wilson openly expresses a desire for the United States to be a Christian nation.

Hegseth’s repost generated a strong reaction online, amassing over 12,000 likes and 2,000 shares on X. Some users agreed with the pastors’ views, while many others voiced concern about a senior government official endorsing such ideas.

Doug Pagitt, pastor and head of the evangelical group Vote Common Good, described the views in the video as belonging to a “small fringe” within Christianity. He called it “very disturbing” that the defence secretary would amplify these opinions.

The Pentagon clarified Hegseth’s connection to the church through spokesman Sean Parnell, who told The Associated Press that Hegseth is “a proud member of a church” affiliated with the CREC and “appreciates many of Mr. Wilson’s writings and teachings.”

In addition to the post, Hegseth has invited his pastor, Brooks Potteiger, to hold Christian prayer services at the Pentagon. These events have been scheduled during working hours, with invitations sent via official government emails to Defence Department employees and service members.

Doug Wilson has publicly stated his desire for the nation to be explicitly Christian, which aligns with the views presented in the CNN report.

The sharing of this video has sparked debate over the intersection of religion and government roles, as well as the place of Christian nationalism in American public life.