A senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing scrutiny after a CNN investigation examined his history of controversial social media activity. The report identified posts containing racist and anti-LGBTQ remarks, along with statements targeting Islam and immigrants. The findings have drawn attention to Ryan Higgins, who serves as Hegseth’s adviser on religious affairs.
Why Ryan Higgins’ reported advisory role is attracting attention
Ryan Higgins, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on religious affairs, has come under scrutiny following a CNN investigation into his public statements and social media activity. The network’s review uncovered racist and homophobic content, conspiracy theories, and repeated attacks on Islam and immigrants across hundreds of posts, livestreams, and archived blog entries spanning roughly a decade.
The material included remarks Higgins made after joining the administration, as well as posts from his earlier work as a conservative activist. In some of his recent commentary, he railed against what he called “the satanic cult of LGBTQ,” described gay adoption as “buying babies,” and referred to abortion as “Demonic human sacrifice packaged as ‘women’s healthcare.’”
Higgins has also expressed views about Christianity’s place in American public life. In one post, he declared that the United States is a Christian nation. Another post, shared in June, stated that “separation of church and state does not exist.” CNN identified these remarks as part of its review of his online activity.
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell defended Higgins’ work, describing him as a “valued member of the Secretary’s team” who “does an outstanding job serving as a senior adviser.” Parnell added, “He has been completely focused on the spiritual health of our troops and the historic establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs.” However, the spokesman did not directly address detailed questions about the posts examined by CNN.
