Sen. Josh Hawley’s Embrace Of ‘Christian Nationalism’ Met With Backlash

In a move that has sparked significant backlash, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) publicly advocated for the ideology of “Christian nationalism” in a recent speech at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, D.C.

Christian nationalism is a far-right ideological position that promotes the belief that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and that public policy should be determined by a fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. This ideology often aligns with goals such as banning abortion, overturning laws that protect LGBTQ rights and removing certain books from libraries.

In his speech, Hawley claimed that “Christian nationalism founded American democracy” and that “the Christian political tradition is our political tradition.” He went on to suggest that the “trans flag” should be removed from federal buildings and replaced with the national motto “In God We Trust.”

Hawley’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism, and his Democratic opponent for the Senate seat, Lucas Kunce, accused the Republican senator of believing that he “should be in charge of what happens in your bedroom, your doctor’s office, your workplace, your marriage, and even your own body.” Kunce described Hawley’s stance as “creepy,” “weird,” and “Big Brother bulls—.”

This is not the first time a U.S. politician has openly embraced the label of “Christian nationalist.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) also previously declared herself a “Christian nationalist.”

The controversy around Hawley’s speech highlights the continued debate over the role of religion in American politics and the concerns raised by those who argue that the promotion of Christian nationalism poses a threat to the principles of separation of church and state and individual liberties.

As the discussion continues, the public and political observers closely monitor the implications of Hawley’s remarks and the broader argument on the intersection of religion, nationalism and governance in the United States.

Hawley is perhaps best know for giving the a fist-pump to the Capitol crowd before the January 6, 2021 riot.