Pete Hegseth Slams Attempts To Tie His Tattoos To White Supremacy

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, has pushed back against accusations that his tattoos—specifically a Jerusalem Cross and the Latin phrase “Deus Vult”—are symbols of white supremacy. The criticism, Hegseth says, is an example of “anti-Christian bigotry.”

Hegseth’s tattoos are steeped in Christian history. The Jerusalem Cross, which Hegseth has inked across his chest, and the Latin inscription “Deus Vult” (“God wills it”) both date back to the time of the Crusades, a series of religious wars in the Middle Ages. These symbols are often used in Catholic religious imagery and are generally recognized as expressions of faith, not political ideology.

However, some critics have insisted the tattoos are associated with far-right extremist groups, including white supremacists. In 2021, a fellow Army National Guard member reported Hegseth’s “Deus Vult” tattoo to military leadership, asserting that the phrase had been co-opted by white nationalist groups.

Hegseth, who was assigned to serve during President Joe Biden’s inauguration, was reportedly pulled from his duties after a commander expressed concerns about his tattoos. Hegseth revealed that he was told to “stand down” and that his orders had been revoked, though the exact reasons for the decision were not made clear. “I was deemed an extremist because of a tattoo by my National Guard unit in Washington D.C., and my orders were revoked to guard the Biden inauguration,” Hegseth recalled during a podcast interview.

In a defiant statement on social media, Hegseth rejected the accusations, calling them part of a broader pattern of “anti-Christian bigotry” that targets conservatives, patriots, and everyday Americans. “They can target me—I don’t give a damn—but this type of targeting of Christians, conservatives, patriots, and everyday Americans will stop on DAY ONE at DJT’s DoD,” Hegseth wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Various political figures have weighed in on the controversy, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, who expressed outrage at the accusations, echoing Hegseth’s sentiments. “They’re attacking Pete Hegseth for having a Christian motto tattooed on his arm. This is disgusting anti-Christian bigotry from the AP, and the entire organization should be ashamed of itself,” Vance wrote on X, denouncing the Associated Press for magnifying the allegations.

As Hegseth awaits confirmation as Secretary of Defense, his nomination has ignited passionate debate over the direction of the military under a Trump administration. His critics argue that his vocal opposition to “woke” policies could alienate “marginalized” groups, in addition to raising questions about his qualifications. Supporters, however, point to over two decades of service and Ivy League degrees, viewing Hegseth as a necessary figure to restore the military’s focus on its core mission and combat readiness.

For many, his nomination represents a long awaited return to traditional leadership in the military. Whether he can effectively challenge the growing influence of political correctness and ideological purity in the military remains to be seen, but Hegseth’s bold stance on these issues signals that he is ready to fight for what he believes matters to America and her longevity.