Concerns Over Religious Nationalism in the U.S. Military

Concerns have been raised regarding the influence of religious nationalism within the U.S. military, particularly under the leadership of President Donald Trump. Steve Schmidt, a former adviser to President George W. Bush, criticized the current atmosphere, describing it as an imposition of “religious nuttery” on the military and the broader American society. Schmidt emphasized the need to combat this extremism, stating, “I want this religious nationalism, I want this evil buried under a concrete f—— sarcophagus.”

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Ken Harbaugh, a former U.S. Navy pilot and Democratic congressional candidate, highlighted the demoralizing effect of rhetoric espoused by certain military leaders, particularly that of Pete Hegseth, a prominent figure in the military-industrial complex. Harbaugh pointed out that Hegseth’s speeches, which include references to “the lamentations of our enemies” and “God will not hear their prayers,” alienate a significant portion of the military. He noted that approximately 30% of U.S. troops identify as non-Christian, and many within the remaining 70% do not resonate with Hegseth's aggressive religious messaging.

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Harbaugh further elaborated on the role of military chaplains, asserting that while personal faith is respected, the primary mission of military leaders should take precedence. He stated, “The job of the chaplaincy… is the mission first, and you have to find a way to subordinate your personal feelings to that mission.” This perspective underscores the belief that religious expression should not overshadow the military's operational objectives.

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Critics have also accused Hegseth of using his position to settle political scores rather than focusing on military strategy. Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling criticized a partisan document attributed to Hegseth, arguing that strategy documents should not serve as vehicles for political retribution but should instead address national objectives.

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The issue of religious nationalism extends beyond individual figures like Hegseth. Peter Thiel, a billionaire ally of Trump and chairman of Palantir, has also been noted for his controversial views on Christianity. Anthea Butler, chair of the University of Pennsylvania Department of Religious Studies, remarked that Thiel’s evangelism exemplifies how the right has co-opted Christian teachings to support autocratic tendencies and counteract perceived threats from progressive ideologies.

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While specific official responses from the military regarding these criticisms have not been detailed, the concerns raised by Schmidt and Harbaugh reflect a growing unease about the intersection of faith and military leadership in the United States.

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• “I want this religious extremism, I want this religious nuttery, I want this religious nationalism, I want this evil buried under a concrete f—— sarcophagus,” — Steve Schmidt, Former Adviser to President George W. Bush

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• “ Ken Harbaugh, a former United States Navy pilot and Democratic congressional candidate, told Schmidt that Hegseth’s attitude demoralizes more than a quarter of US troops.” — Ken Harbaugh, Former U.S. Navy Pilot

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• “The job of the chaplaincy — the job of even a committed leader in the military, someone committed to their faith — is the mission first, and you have to find a way to subordinate your personal feelings to that mission,” — Ken Harbaugh, Former U.S. Navy Pilot

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• “Thiel’s evangelism is another example of how the right has strategically co-opted Christian religious teachings to provide support for their autocratic tendencies, as well as their fears about technology being limited through ‘woke’ beliefs,” — Anthea Butler, Chair of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania

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