Pentagon Faith Adviser Draws Scrutiny Over Past and Recent Social Media Posts
Sandego.net – Ryan Higgins, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on religious matters, has come under scrutiny for a lengthy record of racist, homophobic and anti-immigrant social media activity, as well as posts advancing conspiracy theories and attacks on Islam.
Higgins has emerged as an important figure in Hegseth’s Pentagon circle, particularly as the defense secretary has woven Christian nationalist themes into public speeches and appearances. People familiar with the department have described Higgins as influential in shaping Hegseth’s rhetoric on faith and cultural issues, though others have characterized him as one adviser among many.
A review of Higgins’ public posts, livestreams and archived blog entries spanning roughly a decade shows repeated use of inflammatory language. His remarks include defenses of a video shared by President Donald Trump that portrayed Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, opposition to same-sex marriage, and personal attacks directed at former Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Separation of Church and State does not exist”
Higgins also used stark language in posts about immigration and alleged crimes in Europe.
“They act like barbarians, killing and raping our white women,”
The comment appeared in response to tabloid reporting about sexual crimes allegedly committed by immigrants. His posts have also repeatedly denigrated Islam and immigrants.
Views continued after joining the administration
Much of Higgins’ online record dates to his earlier work as a conservative activist and evangelical organizer. But the material shows he continued sharing far-right rhetoric after entering the administration. In more recent posts, he criticized what he termed “the satanic cult of LGBTQ,” described gay adoption as “buying babies,” and used severe language to condemn abortion.
“Demonic human sacrifice packaged as ‘women’s healthcare.’”
Those statements have gained added significance because Higgins now holds a senior Pentagon position focused on faith issues. The role did not exist in recent years, and his appointment arrived as Hegseth placed religion more visibly within his office and public agenda.
The Defense Department has defended Higgins. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called him a valued member of the secretary’s team and said he was focused on troop spirituality and the planned Office of Religious Affairs.
“He has been completely focused on the spiritual health of our troops and the historic establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs,”
Parnell did not address detailed questions about the individual posts. Higgins did not respond to requests for comment.
Role in Hegseth’s religious agenda
Hegseth has made Christian faith a prominent part of his leadership at the Pentagon. He began holding monthly Christian worship services inside the building and has invited speakers including pastor Doug Wilson. Wilson has said he supports repealing women’s right to vote and has argued that homosexuality should be criminalized.
In February, Higgins thanked Wilson for encouraging what he called the Pentagon’s “amazing” family. The episode illustrated Higgins’ proximity to a broader effort to bring conservative evangelical voices into the department’s public-facing religious programming.
People familiar with Hegseth’s operations have said Higgins contributed to the secretary’s concentration on culture-war issues. They have also linked him to some of Hegseth’s most provocative public language, including a February speech before the National Religious Broadcasters, a Christian media convention.
During that appearance, Hegseth condemned the “Godless left,” praised “Western Christian” values and presented the administration’s culture-war agenda as part of a religious renewal within the armed forces.
Higgins has also been involved in policy discussions. Three people familiar with the effort said he has been a central participant in creating a new Office of Religious Affairs, which Hegseth announced last month. The proposed office would formalize a new channel for religious-affairs work within the Pentagon.
Political and evangelical background
Before arriving at the Pentagon, Higgins spent years in conservative political and evangelical activism. He initially supported Ben Carson’s 2016 presidential campaign, then moved into Trump-aligned political circles. In blog writing from that period, he urged Christians to unite against Hillary Clinton.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Higgins helped organize opposition to limits on church gatherings and worked with conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He later served in a senior Trump faith-outreach position before taking on his Pentagon advisory role.
The controversy comes as Hegseth faces growing resistance to his broader campaign inside the Defense Department. His cultural agenda has coincided with the departure of senior military leaders and subject-matter experts, including women and Black leaders. Critics have raised concerns about whether political and religious messaging is being elevated within an institution whose personnel include people of many faiths and no faith.
For service members, the debate reaches beyond the views of one adviser. The military’s religious-liberty framework is intended to protect the ability to practice faith while also safeguarding personnel from religious coercion or unequal treatment. As the Office of Religious Affairs takes shape, Higgins’ past statements and his influence within the secretary’s team are likely to remain a focus of attention.
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