Pete Hegseth Tells NRB: America Was Founded on the Bible, Not the Godless Left

Pete Hegseth Declares America Was Built on Biblical Principles, Slams the "Godless Left" at NRB Convention

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a fiery keynote address at the National Religious Broadcasters' Freedom 250 Celebration on February 19, 2026, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Speaking before a crowd of Christian media leaders and broadcasters, Hegseth drew a direct line from Scripture to the founding of the United States. He declared that "the very fabric of our founding documents are woven into threads of Christian and biblical principles."

The 45 year old Princeton graduate and decorated combat veteran argued that concepts like individual dignity, natural rights, limited government, and religious freedom all stem from Christianity, not from secular or collectivist ideologies.

Ancient and godless societies viewed the individual as subordinate to the state or the collective.

Hegseth told the crowd, contrasting what he called "godless" philosophies with the Christian worldview that shaped America's founding.

The Secretary of War highlighted several administration actions he framed as victories for faith, including rescinding gender affirming care guidance, ending taxpayer funded abortions in certain contexts, supporting religious liberty initiatives, establishing monthly Christian prayer services at the Pentagon, and revitalizing the Chaplain Corps.

One of the most thunderous standing ovations came after Hegseth declared:

We train our troops, we no longer trans our troops.

He continued with another line that drew sustained applause:

We are one military, one nation under God. We are not "in woke we trust."

Hegseth, who holds two Bronze Star Medals from deployments in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, positioned himself as a warrior for both country and faith. He described what he called a "direct through line from the Old and New Testaments to the development of Western civilization and the United States of America."

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Champions Christian Values and Western Civilization at NRB 2026

The NRB Freedom 250 Celebration also featured Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, as a speaker. The event was part of the broader NRB 2026 International Christian Media Convention, held February 17 through 20 in Nashville.

Frequent and sustained standing ovations interrupted Hegseth's speech as he touched on several culture war themes, including the treatment of transgender service members, climate change, abortion, and the ending of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the military.

The Crusader's Opinion

Finally, someone in power who is not afraid to say it plainly: America was founded on Christian principles, and the forces trying to erase that truth are godless. Secretary Hegseth stood before thousands and spoke what millions of believers already know in their bones. The Bible is not a relic to be locked behind museum glass. It is the living foundation of Western civilization itself. When our leaders bow before the altar of "inclusion" while excluding the very God who gave them their rights, they are building on sand. Pete Hegseth is building on rock. The godless left can mock, they can rage, they can censor. But they cannot rewrite history, and they cannot silence the truth forever.

Take Action

• Watch the full NRB 2026 Freedom 250 Celebration keynote at nrbconvention.org and share it with your church and community.
• Contact your elected representatives and urge them to protect religious liberty in the military. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224 3121.
• Support Christian broadcasting and media through the National Religious Broadcasters to ensure the Gospel message reaches every corner of the nation.
• Pray for Secretary Hegseth and all leaders who publicly stand for their faith. Share his words on social media using #GodNotWoke and #NRB2026.
• Support persecuted Christians worldwide through www.TheShepherdsShield.org and organizations like Open Doors.