Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAlex WoodwardThursday 23 July 2026 03:30 BSTHegseth branded a 'failure' by senator in heated exchange at Iran war funding hearingActive-duty U.S. military chaplains are concerned that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is evaluating their ideological alignment with the administration and his personal Christian beliefs.Chaplains fear unconstitutional retaliation and professional repercussions if their views do not conform to Hegseth's, who has implemented sweeping changes to the military's Chaplain Corps.Hegseth has diminished chaplains' military ranks, narrowed the Pentagon's list of recognized faiths from over 200 to 31, and discarded "Spiritual Fitness" guides he deemed too "new age" or secular.The Secretary of Defense has publicly linked war with Iran to his faith, rejected the separation of church and state, and invited controversial Christian nationalist pastor Doug Wilson to speak at the Pentagon.Critics argue that Hegseth is promoting a narrow religious worldview, which they deem dangerous, discriminatory, and un-American, potentially leading to a Chaplain Corps that rewards ideological conformity over diversity.In fullMilitary chaplains say promotions are tied to pushing Pete Hegseth’s Christian ideologyMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in