LOS ANGELES – President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has been flagged by a service member as a potential “Insider Threat” in 2021, the Associated Press reports. Concerns sparked by tattoo on Hegseth’s bicep read Deus VultA Latin phrase historically associated with the Crusades but also adopted by far-right groups.

Retired Master Sergeant. DeRicko Gaither, who serves as security director for the D.C. National Guard’s counterterrorism team, raised the issue ahead of President Joe Biden’s inauguration. “This falls under Insider Threat,” Gaither wrote in an email to his commanders, referring to the tattoo’s extremist connotations.

What does a tattoo mean?

Expression Deus Vult– meaning “God wills it” – originated as a rallying cry during the Christian Crusades. In modern times, it has been adopted by some far-right and white supremacist groups as a symbol of anti-Muslim sentiment. Experts emphasize that context is important when interpreting such symbols and that not all uses imply extremism. But Gaither’s email flagged the tattoo because of its potential connotations.

Hegseth’s response and background on allegations of extremism

Hegseth has denied being associated with extremist ideologies and has criticized the military’s efforts to combat extremism in its ranks. He called such efforts “fake” and argued that they unfairly target conservatives.

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES – 2019-03-31: Fox & Friends host Pete Hegseth at the National Young Israel Council Gala in New York City. (Photo: Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The AP previously reported that more than 480 people with military backgrounds were implicated in extremist plots between 2017 and 2023; This highlighted concerns about extremism within the armed forces.

Review of Hegseth’s candidacy

Hegseth’s candidacy has drawn criticism from public officials and defense experts concerned about his controversial views. As Secretary of Defense, Hegseth will oversee policies addressing extremism and military justice, where he has previously taken controversial stances, including defending military members accused of war crimes.

What’s next for Hegseth’s candidacy?

Hegseth has yet to publicly comment on the latest allegations regarding his tattoo. The confirmation process will likely involve intense scrutiny, with questions about his suitability to lead the Defense Department at a time when concerns about extremism within the military are growing.

Source

This story is based on reporting from the Associated Press and other publicly available information. Additional information was gathered from AP archives and expert commentary.