1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

Defend the First Amendment — Pentagon’s Religious Policy Violates Church-State Separation I am writing as your constituent to demand an explanation and immediate action regarding Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to slash the Department of Defense’s list of officially recognized religious faiths from 211 to just 31 — and to appoint the federal government as the arbiter of which faith traditions count as “Christian.” This is not a partisan issue. This is a constitutional one. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is unambiguous: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Secretary Hegseth’s Pentagon has done precisely that. By reducing recognized faiths and initially excluding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from its Christian designations — while also eliminating recognition for atheists, Wiccans, pagans, Unitarian Universalists, humanists, and dozens of other sincere belief traditions — the Department of Defense has placed the federal government in the business of deciding whose faith is legitimate. That is not the government’s role. It has never been the government’s role. And it is your sworn duty to say so. I have several direct questions I expect answered: 1. Why have you not publicly objected to a federal agency designating which religious traditions are officially “Christian” and which are not? 2. Why have you not introduced or co-sponsored legislation or a formal inquiry to reverse this action? 3. Do you believe that an American service member who identifies as Wiccan, pagan, humanist, or atheist is less deserving of spiritual recognition and support while serving this country? 4. Do you understand that the separation of church and state protects ALL Americans — including Christians — from government interference in matters of faith and conscience? Every American — soldier or civilian — has the right to follow whatever creed calls to them in good conscience. That is not a privilege granted by Pete Hegseth or any cabinet secretary. It is a right guaranteed by the Constitution you took an oath to defend. I am watching your response, and so are your constituents. Silence on this issue is not neutrality. It is complicity. I urge you to act immediately: demand a reversal of the Pentagon’s religious classification policy and reaffirm, loudly and publicly, your commitment to the separation of church and state.