Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, to lead the Department of Defense has raised significant concerns. Hegseth, who has publicly downplayed the role of military personnel in the January 6th Capitol riot and criticized the Pentagon’s response to extremism within the ranks, was flagged by a fellow service member as a potential “Insider Threat” due to a controversial tattoo linked to white supremacist groups.
Hegseth’s Tattoo and the Insider Threat Concern
Hegseth, known for his outspoken views against military leadership and extremism awareness efforts, was previously removed from his post at the D.C. National Guard during Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration. At the time, he claimed his removal was due to a cross tattoo on his chest. However, this week, an alarming revelation came to light. A fellow Guard member, who had worked in the unit’s security and anti-terrorism team, revealed that Hegseth’s “Deus Vult” tattoo—a phrase used by some extremist groups—had raised alarms about his potential ties to extremist ideologies.
The phrase “Deus Vult,” Latin for “God wills it,” is historically associated with the Christian Crusades but has also been adopted by far-right and white supremacist groups. Hegseth’s tattoo, which features this phrase, was flagged by a security officer to D.C. National Guard leadership in early 2021 as a possible sign of an “Insider Threat,” prompting further scrutiny.
Controversial Views on Military Extremism and the January 6th Attack
Since the January 6th Capitol insurrection, Hegseth has minimized the involvement of military members in the attack, calling them “patriots” who love freedom. Despite evidence showing that many of the rioters had military backgrounds, Hegseth downplayed the role of veterans and active service members in the events. His book, The War on Warriors, controversially claims that the Pentagon’s efforts to address extremism are overblown, labeling the issue of extremism in the military as “fake” and “manufactured.”
His comments have raised serious concerns among critics, particularly given that eight of the individuals convicted of seditious conspiracy for their role in the Capitol attack were military veterans. However, Hegseth continues to argue that efforts to root out extremism within the military are harmful to national security and unjustly target “rank-and-file patriots.”
Hegseth’s Support for Convicted War Criminals
In addition to his views on extremism, Hegseth has faced criticism for his vocal support of convicted war criminals. He has been a staunch defender of military personnel who have been accused of committing war crimes, including a Navy SEAL and an Army officer. His efforts to secure pardons for these individuals, including the controversial case of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, have sparked outrage within the military community and among advocates for military justice.
A Deepening Controversy Ahead of a Potential Pentagon Appointment
The controversy surrounding Hegseth’s tattoos and his views on extremism comes at a time when the U.S. military is grappling with concerns over the infiltration of far-right ideologies and white supremacist groups. In fact, the Pentagon has taken significant steps to address these issues, especially following the January 6th insurrection. However, Hegseth has been a vocal critic of these measures, claiming that efforts to address extremism within the ranks are overstated and politically motivated.
Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Department of Defense could be a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over military leadership and extremism. His background and views suggest that, if confirmed, he may take a significantly different approach to the Pentagon’s efforts to combat extremism and protect the integrity of the U.S. military.
The Bigger Picture: Military Extremism in Focus
Hegseth’s nomination underscores the larger issue of military extremism. Recent investigations have revealed that over 480 individuals with military backgrounds were involved in ideologically driven extremist crimes between 2017 and 2023, including over 230 arrests tied to the January 6th attack. These figures highlight the ongoing challenge faced by the military in ensuring that extremist ideologies do not undermine the integrity of U.S. military forces.
As the Pentagon continues to confront the rise of far-right extremism, Hegseth’s potential appointment to the Department of Defense will undoubtedly stir further debate about how to balance national security with the need to address radicalization within the ranks.
