Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Controversial Views on Women’s Voting Rights

Recent social media activity reveals that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has expressed admiration for a Christian nationalist pastor whose beliefs include the idea that women should be denied the right to vote. Hegseth, who oversees the U.S. military, reposted a CNN video on X (formerly Twitter) featuring Doug Wilson, co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches. The video highlights Wilson’s view that women are subordinate to men and suggests that, in his ideal Christian society, women would not participate in voting.

The clip indicates that Hegseth has attended services at Wilson’s church and that he values Wilson’s teachings. In the video, one pastor supports repealing the 19th Amendment, which grants women the right to vote, while another advocates for voting to be conducted in households with the male head casting the ballot.

Hegseth’s stance on women’s civil rights has previously attracted attention. In January, prior to his confirmation, an affidavit from his ex-sister-in-law claimed he had stated that women should not vote or work, though Hegseth denied these allegations. During his confirmation hearings, he distanced himself from past remarks suggesting women should be barred from military combat roles, clarifying he wouldn’t prohibit women from serving in the military.

This pattern of views aligns with comments by other conservative figures. In 2024, John McEntee, a senior advisor for Project 2025 and a Trump associate, jokingly suggested that the 19th Amendment might have to be repealed by “men-only” voting. Back in 2022, a Trump-backed Michigan candidate made statements criticizing women’s suffrage, claiming it transformed the U.S. into a “totalitarian state,” although the candidate later denied holding such beliefs.

Implications for Voting Rights

These remarks come amidst legislative efforts like the proposed SAVE Act, which would require voters to present documents such as birth certificates or passports to prove citizenship—potentially disenfranchising millions of women who lack such documentation matching their current names. Critics warn that these policies threaten to suppress voter turnout among specific groups, particularly married women.

Support from Trump

While Trump has not publicly commented on Hegseth’s recent social media activity, he has expressed support for the SAVE Act. During a 2020 event commemorating the 19th Amendment, Trump made patronizing remarks about women’s voting rights, implying a dismissive attitude toward women’s opinions in the political process.