We shouldn’t disregard Donald Trump’s thoroughly unqualified picks for his cabinet as mere inexperienced buffoons and MAGA DEI and Affirmative Action hires, but instead recognize them for the extremist threat they represent to the future of our democracy and security.
That might seem like a bold, hyperbolic statement until you dig deeper into people like Fox host Pete Hegseth, who was tapped by Trump to be the Secretary of Defense. Earlier today it was revealed that the Army National Guard veteran who bragged about not washing his hands for 10 years and believes women shouldn’t be in combat was flagged by his fellow service member as a possible “insider threat” due to his tattoo associated with white supremacist groups. He also has tattoos that are shared by violent Christian nationalist groups who seek a return to regressive patriarchy where white Christian men will be on top. According to his book, Hegseth considers himself an extremist who promotes violent militias and considers Democrats and liberals as the enemy.
Dr. Matthew D. Taylor, a Protestant scholar, took to Twitter to warn about the ideology and threat that Hegseth, his “Theo bros,” and various Christian nationalist groups represent to our country. Taylor has spent the time researching these groups for his alarming book The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy and has reminded anyone who’d listen that this movement was part and parcel of the January 6th insurrection. Please don’t forget that the spouse of Supreme Court Justice Alito flew two flags associated with these groups at two separate properties.
What can go wrong with Trump returning to power and Republicans assuming control of all branches?
Dr. Taylor joined me in this episode of Chai Talk to break down the ideologies, beliefs, and end goals of these various Christian nationalist movements and how a second Trump Administration is their main vehicle and hope of finally gaining power by any violent or criminal means necessary.
After all, they’re on a mission from God.
Grab a chai and give us a listen.
The Violent Christian Nationalism of Pete Hegseth and the New Trump Administration