Erika Kirk and Trump’s ‘Christian Nationalist praetorian guard’
When Donald Trump took the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk up a notch by appointing Erika Kirk to the United States Air Force Academy’s oversight board, he moved the military one step closer to becoming what some critics are calling a “Christian Nationalist praetorian guard.”
Under the banner of eliminating DEI, the administration is adding a heavy dose of religious rhetoric to its military policies (via TheIntercept.com):
Amid the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran, some service members and political supporters have framed the war in religious terms, including describing it as part of “God’s divine plan.” Other federal agencies have also openly embraced white nationalist rhetoric and imagery, including a Department of Homeland Security recruitment post that used a neo-Nazi-associated anthem days after the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
When the White House announced Kirk’s appointment to fill her late husband’s seat on the board, it highlighted Charlie Kirk’s “bold Christian faith,” language critics say suggests religion was treated as a qualification for the role.
“The appointment of Erika Kirk to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors goes hand in hand with Christian nationalist incursions into our armed forces, such as Pete Hegseth’s actions and statements promoting his fervent brand of evangelical Christianity at the Pentagon,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Unlike earlier political appointments to the board, Kirk’s selection reflects a specific political and religious alignment rather than expertise in military affairs, said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham, a graduate and former instructor at the academy. (Emphasis mine)
Having already destroyed conservatism and rebranding it “America First” nationalism, Donald Trump — with the full-throated endorsement of Evangelical leaders — is now destroying the Christian Faith and rebranding it “Christian Nationalism.” Unfortunately, there’s nothing Christian about it.
It was inevitable, in an age where the evangelical leaders I refer to as the Fellowship of the Pharisees have abandoned the Gospel of Jesus Christ for a seat of power at Trump’s table, that we would be witnesses to the destruction of faith by someone like Erika Kirk and the Christian Nationalist theology she wants to see in the military.
Basically speaking, Christian Nationalism is the belief that America is defined by Christianity, that Christianity should be given preferential treatment, and that government should be empowered to do whatever is necessary to promote it. While Christianity had a role in the forming of America, using government to create and promote it is diametrically opposed to what the Founding Fathers believed. Consider these quotes by Patrick Henry:
Religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence…
Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom. (Emphasis mine)
One of the bases for America’s independence from King George was his abuse of power as the leader of a theocratic monarchy (kings were considered “anointed by God” to rule). It is why the First Amendment forbids Congress from passing any law establishing a religion. Still, Christian Nationalism is gaining momentum in the Age of Trump.
Gab, the social media site founded in 2016 as an alternative to sites like Facebook and X as a place where free speech was protected, has embraced Trump and Christian Nationalism. Gab’s founder, Andrew Torba, has even written a book to serve as a guide through the world of Christian nationalism titled Christian Nationalism: A Biblical Guide for Taking Dominion and Discipling Nations.
“Christian nationalism is a spiritual, political, and cultural movement comprised of Christians who are working to build a Christian society grounded in a Biblical worldview,” Torba and Isker write, adding that Christian nationalists today “seek to reestablish states that recognize Jesus Christ as King, the general Christian faith as the foundation of state government, and state laws that reflect (in every way possible and reasonable) Christian morality and charity.” (Emphasis mine)
In my book, The New Axis of Evil: Exposing the Bipartisan War on Liberty, I document how the Christian faith influenced our nation’s founding, and I boldly declare my Christian constitutional conservative principles and the need for America to return to them. However, allowing these principles to be twisted into an excuse to spread religious tyranny and destroy liberty — which is the inevitable outcome of Christian Nationalism — is a line I’m unwilling to cross.
The Christian Nationalist destroys true Freedom of Religion while simultaneously granting government power to mandate adherence to Christianity and, ultimately, determine what is or isn’t “Christian.” (via Christianity Today):
Christian nationalism tends to treat other Americans as second-class citizens. If it were fully implemented, it would not respect the full religious liberty of all Americans. Empowering the state through “morals legislation” to regulate conduct always carries the risk of overreaching, setting a bad precedent, and creating governing powers that could be used later against Christians.
Christian nationalism takes the name of Christ for a worldly political agenda, proclaiming that its program is the political program for every true believer. That is wrong in principle, no matter what the agenda is, because only the church is authorized to proclaim the name of Jesus and carry his standard into the world. It is even worse with a political movement that champions some causes that are unjust, which is the case with Christian nationalism and its attendant illiberalism. In that case, Christian nationalism is calling evil good and good evil; it is taking the name of Christ as a fig leaf to cover its political program, treating the message of Jesus as a tool of political propaganda and the church as the handmaiden and cheerleader of the state. (Emphasis mine)
Christian Nationalism is official policy under Donald Trump courtesy of his former Office of Management and Budget director, Russell Vought. Vought’s Center for Renewing America think tank emerged as the leader as a “conservative consortium” tasked with “preparing for a second Trump term.” The CRA worked to “elevate Christian nationalism as a focal point” in Trump’s second term thanks in large part to Vought.
Most who identify as a Christian Nationalist are also Trumpists who have merged Christianity and politics to the point that they equate Donald Trump to Jesus Christ while calling for the establishment of a de facto theocratic monarchy:
“Oh, President Trump is a convicted felon. Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon. And he was murdered on a Roman cross.” ~ Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
“The church is supposed to direct the government.” ~ Rep. Lauren Boebert
The praetorian guard consisted of a few elite imperial bodyguards tasked with protecting Roman emperors and wielded both the military and political power to do so. Likewise, the Christian Nationalist praetorian guard consists of a few elite imperial bodyguards like Erika Kirk who are tasked with protecting and enforcing Christian Nationalism and wield both the military and political power to do so.
David Leach is the owner of the Strident Conservative. He holds people of every political stripe accountable for their failure to uphold conservative values, and he promotes those values instead of political parties. He the author of The New Axis of Evil: Exposing the Bipartisan War on Liberty.
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