Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is facing growing criticism following the emergence of photos showing controversial tattoos during a recent military training exercise at Pearl Harbor.The newly surfaced images reveal two inscriptions that have sparked outrage: the Arabic word “kafir” inked beneath Hegseth’s right bicep—a term used in the Quran to refer to a nonbeliever or someone who rejects faith in God—and “Deus Vult,” a Latin phrase historically associated with the First Crusade.Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), issued a pointed response:“It appears Islam lives so rent-free in Pete Hegseth’s head that he feels the need to stamp himself with tattoos declaring his opposition to Islam alongside a tattoo declaring his affinity for the failed Crusaders, who committed genocidal acts of violence against Jews, Muslims and even fellow Christians centuries ago.”
The pairing of these two phrases—“kafir” and “Deus Vult”—has been widely condemned by Muslim advocacy groups and religious scholars who see them as clear symbols of religious antagonism and historical violence.Hegseth, who openly identifies as a devout Christian, has long emphasized the role of faith in his personal and public life. His body art reflects that belief system:
A cross and sword tattoo, representing a personal interpretation of Matthew 10:34—“not peace, but a sword.”
A Jerusalem Cross, a symbol dating back to the Crusades. Hegseth has previously stated that this tattoo played a role in his removal from National Guard duties during President Biden’s 2021 inauguration.He has described the Jerusalem Cross as a meaningful symbol of Christian faith, though critics argue it also evokes a history of religious violence.
📷 Fallout and Silence
The resurfacing of these tattoos has reignited debate around the appropriateness of personal religious and ideological symbols among high-ranking government officials, especially within a military context that values religious neutrality and inclusivity.
As of now, Secretary Hegseth has not issued a public statement addressing the recent controversy or the backlash from civil rights organizations.