A wave of Christian nationalist rhetoric pushing ideals and questioning foundational democratic rights is gaining visibility among influential conservative circles.
Key Facts & Figures
White Evangelical Protestants 66% and Hispanic Protestants 55% show highest levels of support.
Republicans overwhelmingly dominate this group over half 55% align with Christian nationalist views.
In contrast share drops to 22% among independents and 16% among Democrats.
Doug Wilson Pastor
Bottom Line
Christian nationalism is no longer marginal ideology it remain consistent among vocal minority but one wields outsized influence within Republican leadership.
Leadership figures like Pete Hegseth amplifying these views concerns about democratic backsliding are growing sharply.
Geography of Christian Nationalism
Support is concentrated in Deep South and Midwest States like Louisiana, Oklahoma top list around 50% of residents in some of states are either Adherents or Sympathizers.
There is strong correlation between Christian nationalist support and votes for Donald Trump in 2024 in states like Louisian 60% Missisippi and West Virginai 70%.
The Hegseth Wilson Connection: Power Meets Doctrine
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has drawn fir for reposting CNN interview with Pastor Doug Wilson a founding voice of Communion of Reforme Evangelical Churches CREC.
Wilson openly promotes male dominated household voting opposition to womens suffrage and LGBTQ+ rights and Christian theocracy.
Hegseth captioned the repost All of Christ for All of Life
Hegseth is confirmed to attend CREC affiliated church services and help Wilson teachings,
This has increased worries about extremist ideology infiltrating the US Defense Department leadership.
In same Wilson defended the criminalization of gay sex claiming all 50 states maintained anti sodomy laws into early 1980 .
Political Resonance & Ideological Worries
Christian nationalists are more likely to endorse extremist view including belief in necessity of politicial violence.
38% of Adherents and 30% of Sympathizers believe true patriots may have to resort to violence to save country.
They are more like to subscribe to QAnon related belief.
Why This Matters
The fusion of extreme theology and political power dangers reshaping policies on national defense civil rights and separation of state and church.
These ideas represent a direct challenge to 19th Amendment women suffrage and First Amendment ignite debates about future threats to democratic values and gender equality