Inside the Pentagon's Push to Make the Military More Christian
Over 200 service members filed complaints about Christian nationalism since the Iran war started. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation received them from personnel across more than 50 installations.
One complaint alleges a commander told troops in a March 2 briefing that Trump was "anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth."
The Pentagon didn't respond to questions about whether this happened or if commanders are allowed to say that.
Hegseth Is Pushing Christianity
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has been promoting an explicitly Christian vision for the military. This includes monthly Christian worship services at the Pentagon and speeches about Christianity belonging "not just for the sanctuary but for the public square."
In December, Hegseth complained the Army's spiritual fitness guide only mentioned God once. That document would be disregarded moving forward.
Retired military chaplains say this is a big shift. More overtly Christian messaging hurts cohesion by alienating service members with different beliefs.
Pastor Doug Wilson, who promotes Christian nationalism and has argued against women's right to vote, led a worship service at the Pentagon in February.
Trump Administration's Broader Push
Trump talked about a "tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity and belief in God" in his State of the Union. Members of his Religious Liberty Commission think the First Amendment doesn't prevent government from promoting religion and that it should.
A lawsuit claims the commission is "almost exclusively Christians with one Orthodox Jewish Rabbi." Trump said "To have a great nation, you have to have religion."
How the Chaplaincy Changed
The military chaplaincy started Protestant-only but added other faiths over time. This includes the First Muslim chaplain in 1994 and the First Buddhist chaplain in 2008. By 2024, the Chaplain Corps represented over 100 religious groups.
Guidelines said the Corps "cares for all Soldiers and their Families, regardless of their religious preferences, and even when they have no religious preference at all."
Rabbi Joel Schwartzman, a retired Air Force chaplain, said Hegseth's bringing "a wrecking ball" to the chaplaincy's purpose.
Why Service Members Can't Speak Out
The Pentagon says attendance at religious events is voluntary. But military hierarchy creates pressure to attend when superiors promote them.
"Your military superior is not your manager at Starbucks or Taco Bell," said Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. "They have complete and total control over your life."
The Uniform Code of Military Justice places harsher punishments on service members than civilians face. So, complaints go to outside organizations instead of being raised internally.
The Bottom Line
A commander allegedly told troops Trump was anointed by Jesus to start Armageddon. Over 200 service members have complained about Christian nationalist sentiments since the war began. The Pentagon won't say if it's investigating.
Hegseth is explicitly promoting Christianity and dismissing documents that don't mention God enough. This breaks from decades of the chaplaincy expanding from Protestant-only to representing over 100 religious groups. Now it's swinging back toward explicit Christianity.
Active service members can't easily object because superiors control their careers and military law punishes dissent. "Optional" events aren't optional when commanders promote them.
The Trump administration is pushing religion throughout government and the military is just one arena where this is playing out.
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