U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is at the center of a major controversy after reposting on X a CNN report showing pastors claiming that women should not have the right to vote. The repost, made on August 8, 2025, from his official account, is seen by many observers as a troubling sign of the growing influence of ultraconservative religious ideologies at the highest levels of the U.S. government (AP News, BFMTV).
Defense Secretary relays anti-19th amendment message
In the CNN video, several pastors linked to the religious movement Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), co-founded by pastor Doug Wilson, openly call for the repeal of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — adopted in 1920 and guaranteeing women the right to vote. One pastor says he “would like to see the 19th Amendment repealed,” while another advocates a “household voting” system in which the man, considered the head of the family, would vote on behalf of everyone after consulting his wife.
When reposting the content, Pete Hegseth added the phrase “All of Christ, for All of Life,” a motto directly associated with the CREC and the religious vision promoted by Doug Wilson. This phrase, featured widely in the movement’s materials, sums up a political and social project in which civil laws align strictly with a literal interpretation of the Bible. The post quickly went viral: over 15,000 likes and 3,000 shares within hours. Reactions were sharply divided — some users expressed strong support for the vision, while others voiced deep concern over what they see as a potential erosion of civil rights.
Open ties to christian nationalism
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that Pete Hegseth is “a proud member of a church affiliated with the CREC” and that he “greatly values many of Mr. Wilson’s writings and teachings.”
Doug Wilson, a central figure in American Christian nationalism, has openly stated his desire to see the United States — and the world — become “entirely Christian,” according to CNN. The report also shows a woman saying she “submits” to her husband, illustrating the patriarchal worldview promoted by this movement. For Wilson and his supporters, male–female hierarchy within the household is a model to be defended and replicated in political organization.
The progressive evangelical group Vote Common Good strongly condemned the message. Its founder, Doug Pagitt, said these views represent “only a small fringe of Christians” but warned it is “deeply concerning that they are being promoted by a high-ranking government official.” This controversy comes amid a broader political climate in the U.S. marked by repeated rollbacks of established rights: since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which allowed many states to restrict or ban abortion, several far-right religious figures have shifted their focus to other pillars of gender equality.
A controversy with national and international implications
Civil rights advocates say Pete Hegseth’s action goes far beyond a simple social media repost. By sharing, without any critical distance, a message opposing a fundamental constitutional amendment, the head of the Defense Department has given unprecedented visibility to rhetoric that could inspire restrictive legislative proposals. Internationally, the episode has fueled fears of democratic backsliding in the world’s leading power. Several foreign outlets, including The Guardian, noted that the affair could undermine the United States’ image as a defender of human rights and equality.
As of now, Pete Hegseth has not removed the video or issued any statement clarifying his stance. The White House has remained publicly silent, a stance critics interpret as tacit approval.