Homeland Security appoints conservative Catholic theologian Chad Pecknold to outreach role

The short version

• The Department of Homeland Security hired Catholic University theology professor and conservative commentator Chad Pecknold as its cultural outreach director.[The Washington Post]
• Pecknold has previously criticized the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops over their defense of immigrant rights.[The Washington Post]
• Alongside Vice President JD Vance, Pecknold has developed religious rationales for President Donald Trump's immigration and foreign policies amid criticism from Pope Leo XIV and American bishops.[The Washington Post]

Key facts

• The Department of Homeland Security appointed Chad Pecknold as its cultural outreach director.[The Washington Post]
• Chad Pecknold is a conservative commentator and a longtime professor of theology at Catholic University.[The Washington Post]
• Pecknold has publicly criticized the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for their stance defending immigrant rights.[The Washington Post]
• Pecknold and Vice President JD Vance have provided Catholic arguments in favor of President Donald Trump's enforcement and foreign policies, diverging from critiques by Pope Leo XIV and numerous U.S. bishops.[The Washington Post]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• DHS hires Catholic theologian who opposes bishops, pope on immigrationThe Washington Post - National metered