Moral Decay

The United States is Rotting from the Core Christian Nationalism Is A Threat to Our Democracy

What does it mean to be an American in 2026? Does it mean that Americans are bullies? That the U.S.A. is the “superior” country? Does the United States represent a country of generational oppression and exploitation? Perhaps the CEO, in their high-rise apartment, chauffeured vehicle, private jet, and infinite resources may have a completely different answer than the family who just immigrated to the United States for better opportunities, a better life, to live the American Dream. And perhaps we could ask the soldiers prepping for a possible deployment in Iran under the Administration of “no wars.” Or perhaps those who are having to live on minimum wage—$15,000 per year. I can only imagine the disparity across those answers.

What does it mean to me to be an American in 2026? I am proud to be an American. I also recognize that the United States has a mixed past—and a mixed present. I believe that we can build a better future for ourselves and our posterity. I believe that it is possible to leave a legacy of universal healthcare, modern infrastructure, world-class education, clean water and energy, affordable housing, competitive wages, ample opportunity, and a thriving American Dream. Unfortunately, this administration is doing nothing to build that legacy. It is more probable they will leave a legacy of dismantled education, stagnant wages, rising costs, unaffordable housing, and a polluted and dying world. That is why this fight is so important. Because being an American in 2026 means refusing to give up on a country that isn’t perfect but is still worth fighting for. I am here to fight for a healthier democracy.

I believe that a healthy society is not a zero-sum game. That is, one can identify a healthy Democracy when a society expands the rights and opportunities of one group of people without taking them from any other group. The mark of a healthy Democracy is a society where we help our fellow citizens simply because the ultimate aim of that society is to lift all its citizens, not just a select few. A healthy democracy requires constant investment, new voices, and changing leadership that represents the people. Leadership that adapts to the times. And we cannot accept more excuses because it is time for something new. It’s time for a democracy that finally lives up to its promise.

Before this can happen, however, we must have a real conversation about what is happening in this country. I believe that the United States is rotting from the core, that something fundamental is broken. We can look around to see that systems are not working as they should, and leaders are not serving or representing the people the way they should. We all feel this, at every level. On a federal level, state level, local level, in our schools, at work, in hospitals, at grocery stores, at the gas pumps—everywhere. The United States is drifting further away from its founding principles and its democratic commitments. We must actively rebuild them. This won’t happen overnight; it starts with talking, having tough conversations, and asking questions. Because real progress starts with real honesty, so I hope you won’t mind me being completely transparent and getting to the uncomfortable truths. After all, we can’t fix what we aren’t willing to talk about. So first and foremost, I will borrow from the words of Mr. James Talarico:

“The United States is not a Christian nation. It is a nation where you are free to be a Christian.”

Religion is deeply entwined in this country, and while I support our leaders in the observance of their faith, I am a strict adherent to the United States Constitution. The First Amendment says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….” Because I have twice sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States—and because that oath carries no expiration date—I believe that the rise of Christian nationalism poses a threat to the health of our Democracy.

The Founders were explicit on this point. John Adams, in the Treaty of Tripoli of 1797, declared that “the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion....” This was not a throwaway line. It was a formal treaty, ratified unanimously by the Senate, and published in newspapers across the country without protest or controversy.[1] 

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment was designed precisely to prevent any particular religion from becoming a state-sponsored religion. The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that government may not advance or endorse religion.[2] And yet, we have seen mandates for biblical instruction in public schools, state legislatures enact laws rooted in religious doctrine rather than public welfare, and elected officials openly declare that their legislative agenda is drawn from scripture. This is not faith informing conscience. This is theocracy wearing democracy’s clothing.

I support the First Amendment, and so I support the full diversity of religion in America. I vow to support and defend your right to observe Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Daoism, Buddhism, Atheism, or any other faith. I believe that our society is made better by diversity—of thought, of religion, of culture, and so much more. But that diversity requires a government that stands apart from all of it—impartial, fair, and knowing its place. A government that won’t elevate any single creed above another. Right now, as we see this surge of Christian Nationalism, the picture is becoming clearer. There are far too many people using their faith as a disguise. Too often, the same people who loudly and publicly profess their Christianity at the same time do not live up to the teachings of the Bible, or even meet the baseline for being a decent human being.

Faith, at its best, is a private and transformative practice. It is the quiet resolve that calls us to love our neighbor, to care for the least among us, to act with integrity even when no one is watching. The moment faith becomes a vehicle for political power—the moment it is weaponized to exclude, to punish, or to control—it has ceased to be faith at all. It has become something far more dangerous: ideology dressed in the language of the divine. This is why I oppose Christian nationalism. The U.S. Constitution carves out a free space to practice their faith, no matter what that looks like. But when you try to force religion on others or let it infiltrate spaces where it does not belong, we have a problem. And instead of picking up the pieces later, let’s get ahead of it and reject Christian nationalism altogether. And that starts with a truth—Christian nationalism is politics wrapped in “religion.”

Have you heard of the New Apostolic Reformation? Among its beliefs is the idea that Christians are called to revolutionize the United States and make it great again as a Christian nation. These “Christians” are some of Trump's first supporters, the same people who attempted to get the 2020 election overturned. According to several sources, there were hundreds, if not thousands, of New Apostolic Reformation Christians at the January 6 attack.[3] Bottom line, the United States Constitution demands a separation between church and state. And how do we expect voters to believe us when we say that when leadership is actively contradicting the Constitution?

For example, a group of New Apostolic Reformation leaders, apostles, prophets, and others were present at the White House a week before January 6. Speaker Mike Johnson has direct ties to the New Apostolic Reformation and has sought the counsel of Timothy Carscadden. Carscadden is described as the one who may have done the most of any Christian leader in the US to mobilize folks to both overturn the election and riot on January 6. To help re-elect Trump, these ‘Christians’ partnered with conservative right-wing organizations like Turning Point and visited over 2,500 churches to spread their twisted message. They prey on people who want to feel like they are a part of something bigger by disguising it as something that will transform the US. And it is working.

Let’s be real, Christian nationalism is not and will not make America a better country. What makes America truly great is democracy—listening to the body of people and ALL voices regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic status and not enforcing a single ideology on every person. Because when our democracy is threatened, and people are asked what it’s like to be an American in 2026, they’ll think and began to realize—maybe we aren’t so free after all. That is why the 2026 Midterm Elections are so critical.

This is our moment to put power back into the hands of the people. This race isn’t just about winning; it is part of a bigger movement that will actually create the change we all want. I knew running for Congress wasn’t going to be easy. I know going up against a well-known incumbent funded with millions of dollars will not be a walk in the park. I knew it was going to take working the District—all of it, from the Red River all the way to South OKC.

To flip this seat in November, we’ll need to not just appeal to democrats, we’ll have to win over Independents and Republicans, too. Starting early gave us a head on forcing Tom Cole into retirement (check out RetireTom.com). The work we do now to rally, excite, energize, and talk to people will make all the difference come November. This primary is about exciting voters and giving them a competitive race, a choice, and a start back to a healthy democracy. And I need your help to set the stage for November. A new generation of leadership is coming. Our communities are showing up to fight against authoritarianism and cut out the root of what is making democracy sick. And our rights can only be protected by sending a fighter to Congress.

So, what does being an American in 2026 mean to you? Are you ready to join the fight?

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[1] Philip B. Kurland & Ralph Lerner, The Founders’ Constitution (1987); See also the Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11 (1797) (“[T]he Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion....”).

[2] Ronald K.L. Collins, Congress Shall Make No Law: Oliver Wendell Holmes, The First Amendment, and Judicial Decision Making (2010), Encounter Books; See alsoLemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971).

[3] Laura Barrón-López & Sam Lane, What is Christian Nationalism and Why it Raises Concerns About Threats to Democracy (2024), PBS, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-is-christian-nationalism-and-why-it-raises-concerns-about-threats-to-democracy.