Hegseths Pastor Prays Talarico Be Crucified With Christ as Democrat Claims Christian Nationalism Kills

Texas Democrat James Talarico Responds to Hegseth's Pastor After 'Crucified With Christ' Comments Go Viral

Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico fired back on Tuesday after a pastor linked to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on a podcast that he wanted to see Talarico "crucified with Christ."

Brooks Potteiger, pastor of Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, made the remarks during a March 16, 2026 episode of a podcast alongside former pastoral intern Joshua Haymes. The discussion centered on Talarico's theological positions and his public statements about the Christian faith.

Haymes stated during the episode:

I pray that God kills him. Ultimately, that means killing his heart and raising him up to new life in Christ.

Potteiger responded affirmatively, comparing the desired transformation to the Apostle Paul's conversion experience, saying he wanted Talarico "crucified with Christ," a reference to Galatians 2:20.

On March 25, Talarico posted his response on social media:

Jesus loves. Christian Nationalism kills. You may pray for my death, Pastor, but I still love you.

Potteiger later dismissed the media coverage, calling a Huffington Post headline "excellent clickbait." He clarified that his comments were about spiritual transformation, not physical violence, referencing the Christian concept of dying to self and being born again in Christ. He also referenced the imprecatory psalms, which represent prayers for God's intervention against wickedness.

Douglas Wilson, the founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), to which Pilgrim Hill belongs, wrote a supportive article arguing that both sides were misusing spiritual language to score political points against each other.

Potteiger is known for his connection to Hegseth, having led prayer at a service the Secretary of War hosted at the Pentagon.

Hegseth Pastor's 'Crucified With Christ' Remark Sparks National Debate Over Faith and Politics

The controversy highlights the growing tension between progressive and conservative Christians in American politics. Talarico, who identifies as a Christian and former youth pastor, has been a vocal critic of what he calls Christian nationalism. His opponents in the Reformed evangelical community see his theology as incompatible with orthodox Christianity.

The CREC, which Pilgrim Hill is affiliated with, is a conservative Reformed denomination founded by Wilson that has drawn both supporters and critics for its outspoken positions on faith, culture, and politics.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let's be absolutely clear about what happened here. A pastor used well established biblical language about spiritual death and resurrection in Christ. Every believer who has read Galatians knows exactly what "crucified with Christ" means. It is the very foundation of the Gospel.

Talarico knows this. He was a youth pastor. He knows the difference between a prayer for conversion and a death threat. But "Christian Nationalism kills" gets more retweets than "Pastor hopes I find Jesus." The outrage machine runs on distortion, and Talarico just fed it another round.

Meanwhile, actual Christians are being slaughtered across the globe for their faith, and this is the "lethal threat" we are supposed to be worried about? A prayer for repentance? The priorities are upside down.

Take Action

• Read Galatians 2:20 and the imprecatory psalms for yourself. Form your own understanding of what "crucified with Christ" means in its biblical context.
• Contact Texas state Rep. James Talarico's office to share your perspective on faith and public service: Texas House District 50 Contact Page
• Support persecuted Christians around the world who face real violence for their faith through The Shepherd's Shield
• Support Open Doors USA, which serves persecuted believers in over 70 countries: www.opendoorsusa.org
• Pray for unity in the body of Christ. Pray that believers across political lines would pursue truth with grace and stand firm on Scripture without weaponizing it for political gain.