Pete Hegseth under fire after sharing video featuring pastors advocating against women’s right to vote

WASHINGTON, DC: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing sharp criticism after reposting a video featuring Christian nationalist pastors advocating for the repeal of women’s right to vote and urging women to “submit” to their husbands.

The nearly seven-minute CNN report he shared focused on Pastor Doug Wilson, co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), and included remarks from several of its pastors pushing the extreme view.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host and outspoken critic of women in combat, captioned his repost with the phrase, “All of Christ for All of Life.” The post garnered more than 12,000 likes and 2,000 shares on X (formerly Twitter), drawing both support and alarm from users.

Pete Hegseth's views on women under scrutiny

In response to questions from The Irish Star, a Pentagon spokesperson pointed to a statement from Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, who confirmed Pete Hegseth is “a proud member of a church affiliated with the Congregation of Reformed Evangelical Churches” and “very much appreciates many of Mr Wilson’s writings and teachings.”

Hegseth's move has intensified scrutiny of Hegseth’s record on women’s roles, both in the military and society. Critics argue his apparent endorsement of repealing women’s suffrage represents a dangerous escalation of his previously stated views.

Since becoming defense secretary, Hegseth has implemented policies that critics say intentionally target female service members, including a new dress code restricting nail polish colors and eyelash extensions.

Military gender equity advocates have warned that such measures could undermine recruitment and morale.

Pete Hegseth’s endorsement of extreme view sparks uproar

Pete Hegseth faced backlash for sharing a video featuring pastors suggesting women should be barred from voting. Critics accused Hegseth of promoting Christian nationalism and undermining democratic values.

Many condemned his stance as both unbiblical and un-American, with one writing, “This is shameful. You work for a secular government, yet you promote Christian Nationalism - something that has nothing to do with the Bible or with what Jesus called His followers to do."

They added, "You have decided the Constitution is worthless and should be abolished in favor of the Federal Vision - a political, anti-Biblical framework that hurts everyone. Scripture never calls us to this. It's heresy. All you are doing is reviving the spirit of the Medieval Crusades. Do not confuse your politics with faith. You are simply another 'Christian' who has abandoned the heart of Jesus and the teachings of Scripture. I will never support you again."

"You can believe whatever backwards nonsense you like. I feel sorry for your wife and daughters though... What you can't do is try and impose this c**p on the rest of us. F**k off, Pete,” a person said. 

Several responses took a sharper tone, with one saying, “Jesus would be ashamed of you,” and another adding, “Jesus spoke to me, told me he hates you.”

“When the US Secretary of Defense calls for stripping women of the right to vote, you know this country is in great danger,” a commenter warned.

Pete Hegseth’s past controversies and personal admissions

Pete Hegseth’s career has been marked by public admissions of repeated infidelity, which he has said ended after he was “changed by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and his current wife, Jennifer Hegseth. 

In 2017, he was accused of sexual assault at a Republican women’s event in Monterey, California, allegations his attorney called “completely false.” No charges were filed, but he later paid a settlement to the accuser.

Court records show both his previous marriages ended after extramarital affairs, including one with a Fox News producer who is now his wife.

In May, Hegseth invited his personal pastor, Brooks Potteiger, to lead Christian prayer services inside the Pentagon during working hours. Defense Department employees and service members reported receiving official email invitations to attend.

The Pentagon has not said whether similar events are planned, but critics argue the practice blurs the line between church and state, a concern now amplified by his public praise for religious leaders advocating for the loss of women’s voting rights.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.