Huffman, Raskin, Houlahan Call for Investigation into Military Chaplaincy Amid Hegseth’s Religious Extremist Overhaul

Huffman, Raskin, Houlahan Call for Investigation into Military Chaplaincy Amid Hegseth’s Religious Extremist Overhaul October 30, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jamie Raskin (MD-8), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) are calling on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate how military chaplains are recruited, vetted, and trained. The report also examines whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s changes to the military chaplaincy threaten the religious freedom of our servicemembers. “Pete Hegseth has spent his tenure treating the Pentagon like a pulpit for his Christian nationalist agenda, and I’m deeply concerned about what that means for the men and women serving our country,” said Rep. Huffman. “The lack of transparency surrounding the military chaplaincy has always been an issue, but under this administration, it has become outright dangerous. Hegseth’s intentions have been clear from the start, and we must leave no stone unturned in determining whether the Chaplain Corps has become yet another vehicle for his ideological crusade.” “Military chaplains have a unique responsibility to serve every servicemember, regardless of faith or belief. As a veteran, I know how important that trust is. The military has no business telling servicemembers what to believe, and no servicemember should have to wonder whether the chaplain they turn to for help will put religious ideology ahead of their duty to care," said Rep. Houlahan, Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee. "Secretary of Defense Hegseth's changes raise serious questions about whether that responsibility is being compromised to advance his own religious agenda. Religious freedom is a constitutional right, not a privilege reserved for those who share the beliefs of the people in charge.” Military chaplains serve approximately 1.3 million servicemembers from a wide range of religious backgrounds. Over the past year, Secretary Hegseth has introduced sweeping changes to the military chaplaincy, including reducing recognized religious affiliation codes, withdrawing the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide, and replacing chaplains' rank insignia with religious symbols. In April 2026, Reps. Huffman and Raskin led a letter demanding answers from Secretary Hegseth about these changes and their potential impact on servicemembers’ religious freedom. The latest request to GAO builds on those oversight efforts, seeking an independent assessment of whether the administration’s policies are undermining the Chaplain Corps’ ability to fulfill its mission and serve servicemembers of all religious backgrounds. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article