Senator Mike Lee Criticizes Pentagon for Excluding Mormons from Christian Groups
Senator Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah and ally of President Trump, has publicly criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following a Pentagon policy change that excluded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) from a list of recognized Christian faith groups. This change is part of a broader effort by the Defense Department to streamline religious affiliation categories for service members, reducing them from over 200 to 31. The exclusion of the LDS Church has sparked backlash, particularly in Utah, where the church is headquartered. Senator Lee, a practicing Mormon, expressed his disapproval on social media, calling the decision 'repugnant' and urging the Pentagon to reverse it. Fellow Utah Senator John Curtis also condemned the move, emphasizing the patriotic and service-oriented nature of Latter-day Saints. The Pentagon has defended the restructuring as an administrative measure, not a judgment on religious identity. 
