The Christian Nationalists: Warriors in a Holy War
The Civil War Brewing Within MAGA: Part 2
In the previous article, we outlined the fragile coalition within the MAGA movement. Now, we delve deeper into one of its most formidable factions: the Christian Nationalists, self-proclaimed warriors in a holy war with democracy in their crosshairs.
The Christian Nationalists do not see themselves as politicians; they view themselves as warriors in a holy war. To them, democracy is not a system to be debated or improved but an obstacle to be removed. Their goal is to seize control of every American institution—schools, courts, law enforcement, and the military—to impose their version of religious law and reshape the country into what they believe is a biblical nation.
The groundwork for this vision has been laid. Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation, has referred to this movement as a "Second American Revolution" and warned that it will "remain bloodless if the Left allows it." Project 2025, crafted by The Heritage Foundation, outlines a plan to dismantle federal agencies, purge government workers who are not ideologically aligned, and replace them with loyal operatives.
Key figures like Stephen Miller are positioned to oversee mass deportations and law enforcement crackdowns, laying the groundwork for an authoritarian system under religious nationalism. Senator Josh Hawley has tied national identity to religious dogma, arguing that America's only hope for salvation is to defend Christian values. Governors like Ron DeSantis have tested the limits of government control over education, criminalized dissent, and weaponized state power against ideological opponents.
Yet, the Christian Nationalists face significant vulnerabilities. Their apocalyptic narrative is difficult to sustain over time. Unlike the Iranian revolutionaries who successfully imposed theocratic rule, Christian Nationalists lack a cohesive doctrine beyond their fixation on power. Their movement is fragmented with charismatic evangelicals, traditional Catholics, dominionists, and fringe cults each claiming the true vision for America's future.
Their economic contradictions are also stark. While rejecting globalist corporate interests, they rely on billionaire donors and capitalist systems they profess to oppose. Their vision for state control conflicts with the laissez-faire motives of The Extraction Class, risking alienation of the financial backers who enabled their rise.
Grievance alone does not build governance. Historical religious regimes often fractured from within or were consumed by power struggles with allies. The Christian Nationalists assume they will rule, but ruling requires infrastructure they do not yet control.
Their tolerance for alliances with libertarians, corporate leaders, and Trump was strategic. But now, on the verge of real power, competition is intolerable. The Extraction Class and Militants were once necessary allies but now pose threats. History shows factions that rise together rarely stay aligned once victory is near.
Destiny alone cannot hold together movements built on paranoia, infighting, and a fundamental misunderstanding of power. The Christian Nationalists' contradictions between moral absolutism and political pragmatism and between faith-driven governance and capitalist dependency may cause their undoing before total control is realized.
While the Christian Nationalists dream of a theocratic America, they share the stage with another faction far less interested in faith and far more invested in power: The Extraction Class. Stay tuned for the next installment in this series: The Extraction Class: Dismantling Democracy to Hoard Power and Profit.
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