Concerns Over Hegseth's Tattoo as Insider Threat

Pete Hegseth, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Defense, was flagged as a potential 'insider threat' due to his 'Deus Vult' tattoo, which has been associated with white supremacist groups. Retired Master Sgt. DeRicko Gaither, who raised the alarm, clarified that his complaint was about the 'Deus Vult' tattoo on Hegseth's inner bicep and not the Jerusalem Cross tattoo he has on his chest. Gaither described the 'Deus Vult' tattoo as 'disturbing' and emphasized that it aligns with extremist ideologies. Hegseth has claimed he was unfairly labeled an extremist and had his orders revoked to guard President Biden's inauguration, attributing this to his tattoos and political views. Critics have raised concerns about Hegseth's qualifications and potential extremist beliefs, citing his history of downplaying military involvement in the January 6 Capitol riots. The situation reflects ongoing tensions within the military regarding extremism and the influence of personal beliefs on service members' roles.