Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran, became a figure of intense scrutiny when nominated for defense secretary. While his confirmation hearing proceeded amidst serious allegations of sexual assault and financial impropriety, a significant aspect of the controversy revolved around questions of whether Pete Hegseth is a white supremacist, a concern fueled by his public statements, associations, and even his tattoos. This article delves into the evidence and allegations to explore the question of Pete Hegseth and white supremacy, aiming to provide a comprehensive and objective analysis.
Concerns about Hegseth’s suitability for high office extended beyond professional misconduct. Reports surfaced detailing a flawed FBI background check, with The New York Times noting that Hegseth’s ex-wife claimed her attempts to provide crucial information were ignored. Further, The New Yorker revealed efforts by Hegseth’s supporters to intimidate potential witnesses, alongside a substantial financial campaign from conservative billionaires to pressure Republican senators into supporting his confirmation. These issues, coupled with past accusations of misusing funds and sexually harassing women at veterans groups, as reported by The New Yorker, painted a picture of a nominee with a deeply troubled past. Adding to this volatile mix were allegations of Hegseth drunkenly chanting “Kill all Muslims! Kill all Muslims!” in 2015, and accusations from his own mother, reported by The New York Times, of mistreating women.
However, it was the accusations of potential ties to white nationalism that sparked particularly intense debate. CBS News reported that Hegseth was among National Guard members removed from duty for President Biden’s inauguration due to concerns about white nationalist extremist links. This stemmed, in part, from tattoos Hegseth sports, specifically a Jerusalem cross, which is identified as a symbol used by white supremacist and neo-Nazi movements.
Alice Herman, a politics and democracy reporter for The Guardian, brought expert insight to the discussion on Democracy Now!. She highlighted that experts on far-right extremism raised alarms about Hegseth’s public persona. This included not only his tattoos but also statements made on podcasts, Fox News, and in his published books, all suggesting a potential affiliation with or ideological alignment with the far right. Herman described Hegseth’s public image as that of a “hypermasculine MAGA crusader,” noting his frequent use of the term “crusades,” seemingly indicating a fascination with the historical Crusades.
The tattoos became a central point of contention. When questioned on the Shawn Ryan Show about being labeled an extremist by the military due to a tattoo, Hegseth claimed it was a misinterpretation of a Christian symbol. He stated, “It’s a Christian symbol,” referring to the Jerusalem cross. However, Alice Herman clarified that while Hegseth might claim plausible deniability, experts identified two tattoos as red flags: the Jerusalem cross on his chest and “Deus vult” tattooed on his bicep. “Deus vult,” Latin for “God wills it,” and the Jerusalem cross are indeed rooted in the Crusades. While not exclusively far-right symbols, Herman pointed out that they are “associated with far-right and Neo-Nazi groups, which have used the symbols.” Historians and scholars consulted by Herman suggested that having both tattoos indicated at least an ideological alignment with white nationalist and Christian nationalist subcultures, even if not direct affiliation.
Further scrutiny of Hegseth’s social media activity, as detailed by The Guardian, revealed promotional content that added another layer to the concerns. He regularly advertised for an ammunition company, a pro-gun group, and a coffee company on Instagram. More notably, he promoted an Advent songbook published by Forge Press, an organization self-described as one that “arms Christians with weapons to build, defend, and expand the new Christendom.” Forge Press also sells merchandise with slogans like “make America Christian again,” further solidifying their Christian nationalist stance. This promotion of overtly Christian nationalist entities on his platforms raised questions about Hegseth’s own ideological leanings.
Hegseth’s views on diversity and inclusion, particularly within the military, also contributed to the controversy. His stance against women in combat, expressed on the Shawn Ryan Show, drew sharp criticism, especially considering figures like Senator Tammy Duckworth, a veteran who lost her legs in Iraq, would be involved in his confirmation process. Senator Elizabeth Warren prepared a substantial report detailing concerns about Hegseth’s views on women in the military and his campaign against what he termed “woke generals.”
In his 2024 book, War on Warriors, Hegseth criticized the military’s focus on rooting out extremism and opposed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He argued that promoting women, people of color, and LGBT individuals in the military was problematic and based on preferential treatment rather than merit. Historians cited by The Guardian described Hegseth’s proposal to purge “woke” generals as tantamount to a coup, highlighting the extreme nature of his views.
Ultimately, questions were raised about what the military would gain from Hegseth’s leadership. His lack of experience managing large organizations – having only commanded a platoon of around 40 people – stood in stark contrast to the massive scale of the US military, encompassing millions of personnel. Alice Herman suggested that the Trump administration’s primary motivation for nominating Hegseth was his unwavering loyalty to Trump and alignment with his vision. This emphasis on loyalty over experience and qualifications further fueled concerns about the potential politicization of the Defense Department under Hegseth’s leadership.
In conclusion, the question of whether Pete Hegseth is a white supremacist is complex and multifaceted. While Hegseth and his supporters may dismiss concerns as misinterpretations or politically motivated attacks, the evidence presented – including his tattoos with far-right associations, his promotion of Christian nationalist organizations, and his disparaging views on diversity and inclusion in the military – paints a troubling picture. These elements, combined with serious allegations of misconduct and questionable qualifications, raise significant concerns about his fitness for a leadership role, particularly one as critical as Secretary of Defense. The controversy surrounding Pete Hegseth serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thoroughly vetting individuals nominated for high office, especially when questions of extremism and prejudice are involved.
