Additional Coverage:
- Pete Hegseth shares video featuring various pastors saying women shouldn’t be allowed to vote (irishstar.com)
Defense Secretary Sparks Outrage by Reposting Video Advocating Repeal of Women’s Suffrage
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing a firestorm of criticism after reposting a video on X, formerly Twitter, featuring pastors from the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) advocating for the repeal of women’s right to vote. The video also includes congregants stating that women should “submit” to their husbands.
This incident follows a string of controversial actions by Hegseth, including public comments questioning women’s combat capabilities and the implementation of policies perceived as detrimental to female service members. Hegseth has also openly admitted to infidelity in the past.
The reposted video, originally a CNN report on CREC co-founder Doug Wilson, has ignited further controversy due to Wilson’s outspoken Christian nationalist views. Hegseth’s repost, captioned “All of Christ for All of Life,” garnered significant attention on X, sparking both support and condemnation.
A Department of Defense spokesperson, referencing Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, confirmed Hegseth’s affiliation with a CREC-affiliated church and his appreciation for Wilson’s writings and teachings. Parnell further stated to the Associated Press that Hegseth is “a proud member of a church” affiliated with CREC and “very much appreciates many of Mr. Wilson’s writings and teachings.”
Hegseth’s history includes a 2017 sexual assault allegation, which he denied, and multiple instances of admitted infidelity leading to the dissolution of his previous marriages. More recently, Hegseth has come under scrutiny for holding Christian prayer services led by his personal pastor inside the Pentagon during working hours.
Wilson’s own statements in the CNN report, expressing his desire for a Christian nation and world, add another layer of complexity to this unfolding controversy.