Christian nationalism has infiltrated the Supreme Court and federal government, undermining church-state separation
Source: Dahlia Lithwick. "Iran war: Pete Hegseth’s secret weapon.." March 10, 2026. slate.com
The Gist
The author argues that Christian nationalists have taken over the Supreme Court and parts of the federal government, breaking down the wall between church and state. She claims this is a coordinated effort that started in the courts and has now spread to government agencies like the Pentagon.
Conclusion
Christian nationalism has systematically infiltrated both the Supreme Court and the federal government, fundamentally undermining the constitutional principle of church-state separation
Premises
- The Roberts Court has spent decades systematically dismantling church-state separation through cases like Trinity Lutheran and Carson v. Makin
- The Court has reframed government funding restrictions for religious groups as 'discrimination' rather than constitutional requirement
- Christian nationalism is now manifest in federal agencies, exemplified by Pete Hegseth hosting sectarian prayer services at the Pentagon
- This movement represents a backlash to demographic changes, as white Christians lost majority status in 2014
- The Court has abandoned the balanced interpretation of the First Amendment's religion clauses in favor of maximalist religious exercise claims
- Current Christian nationalist influence extends beyond religion into economics, geopolitics, and warfare ideology
Assumptions
- The Founders intended strict separation of church and state
- The First Amendment's religion clauses were meant to work in balance, not favor one over the other
- Government funding of religious activities constitutes establishment of religion
- Christian nationalism represents a narrow, politicized version of Christianity rather than authentic religious practice
- Demographic and social changes justify concern about Christian nationalist backlash