The organization founded to promote the free market sure is spending a lot of time promoting attacks on the separation of church and state
But in recent months, TPUSA has adopted a cause that’s very different from foisting Milton Friedman on frat boys. The group is putting its cash, and its political cachet, behind Christian nationalism, promising to “restore America’s biblical values.” Indeed, TPUSA has embraced a new crusade to “empower Christians to change the trajectory of our nation.”
TPUSA’s faith initiative is currently backing the reactionary preacher Sean Feucht in his Kingdom to the Capitol tour, where he’s staging “revivals” at the nation’s 50 statehouses. The MAGA preacher is explicit about the aim — declaring that he wants “believers to be the ones writing the laws!” and pleading “guilty as charged!” to Christian nationalism. “It’s all part of The King coming back,” Feucht told followers in Oklahoma — a reference to the second coming of Jesus. “That’s what we’re practicing for.”
In most locales, the Feucht concerts resemble protests on the steps of the Capitol. But in a few red states, Feucht & Co have been welcomed into the halls of power. In both Austin and Indianapolis, Inside the Indiana Capitol, Feucht prophesied over Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch: “You’re going to be filled with favor,” Feucht told the Republican.
Christian nationalist Sean Feucht prayed a blessing over Indiana Lt. Gov Suzanne Crouch after she arranged for them to hold a prayer rally inside the state capitol. Feucht promised that Crouch will be "filled with favor" for giving them access. pic.twitter.com/ur3ySqVhfR
— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) May 8, 2023
For now, TPUSA is keeping its free-market and its Christian fundamentalist wings at a distance. TPUSA and TPUSA Faith operate under the same nonprofit umbrella, but have separate websites and few links between them. Experts in the field of free market economics believe the straddle Kirk and TPUSA are undertaking makes sense if the goal is to stay relevant as a power player in conservative politics. But they describe the two-headed hydra as intellectually incoherent.