Vice President-Elect Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) slammed the Related Press on Friday for a success piece towards President-Elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Protection, Pete Hegseth, that dubbed him an alleged “Insider Risk” over his Christianity-themed tattoos. The most effective promoting writer and Fox Information host Hegseth, 44, is an almost 20-year Military Nationwide Guard officer who fought within the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, rising to the rank of Main whereas incomes two Bronze Stars. Vance, 40, is a Marine veteran of the Iraq struggle.
The AP tried to smear Hegseth as a potential white supremacist in an article about how he was barred from Nationwide Guard service throughout Joe Biden’s inaugural in January 2021 after he was reported by a fellow service member for having alleged extremist tattoos: Certainly one of a Jerusalem Cross and one other that claims, “Deus Vult,” (God wills it.) On the time, the anti-Trump Pentagon was beginning to root out conservatives from the service within the wake of the January 6 riot on the Capitol by labeling them “Insider Threats.”
Hegseth has spoken and written in regards to the incident and posted images of his tattoos:
Pete Hegseth on being labeled an extremist for a cross tattoo on his chest by his personal unit. Full episode releases in the present day at 12:30PM CST. @PeteHegseth pic.twitter.com/5suhIG4hSE
— Shawn Ryan Present (@ShawnRyanShow) November 7, 2024
The AP’s Pentagon reporter Tara Copp posted her article to X with the caption, “Pete Hegseth, the Military Nationwide Guard veteran and Fox Information host nominated by Donald Trump to steer the Division of Protection, was flagged as a potential “Insider Risk” by a fellow service member as a result of a tattoo he has that’s related to white supremacists.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, the Military Nationwide Guard veteran and Fox Information host nominated by Donald Trump to steer the Division of Protection, was flagged as a potential “Insider Risk” by a fellow service member as a result of a tattoo he has that’s related to white supremacists.…
— Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) November 15, 2024
Vance responded, posting, “They’re attacking Pete Hegseth for having a Christian motto tattooed on his arm. That is disgusting anti-Christian bigotry from the AP, and your entire group must be ashamed of itself.”
They’re attacking Pete Hegseth for having a Christian motto tattooed on his arm. That is disgusting anti-Christian bigotry from the AP, and your entire group must be ashamed of itself. https://t.co/tQxuD3RPlx
— JD Vance (@JDVance) November 15, 2024
Hegseth responded to Vance with a vow to finish anti-Christian bigotry within the army, “Amen @JDVance. Anti-Christian bigotry within the media on full show. They will goal me — I don’t give a rattling — however this sort of concentrating on of Christians, conservatives, patriots and on a regular basis Individuals will cease on DAY ONE at DJT’s DoD.”
Amen @JDVance. Anti-Christian bigotry within the media on full show.
They will goal me — I don’t give a rattling — however this sort of concentrating on of Christians, conservatives, patriots and on a regular basis Individuals will cease on DAY ONE at DJT’s DoD. https://t.co/TCZVWsxEAS
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 15, 2024
Pete Hegseth, the Military Nationwide Guard veteran and Fox Information host nominated by Donald Trump to steer the Division of Protection, was flagged as a potential “Insider Risk” by a fellow service member as a result of a tattoo on his bicep that’s related to white supremacist teams.
Hegseth, who has downplayed the function of army members and veterans within the Jan. 6, 2021, assault and railed towards the Pentagon’s subsequent efforts to handle extremism within the ranks, has stated he was pulled by his District of Columbia Nationwide Guard unit from guarding Joe Biden’s January 2021 inauguration. He’s stated he was unfairly recognized as an extremist as a result of a cross tattoo on his chest.
This week, nevertheless, a fellow Guard member who was the unit’s safety supervisor and on an anti-terrorism group on the time, shared with The Related Press an e-mail he despatched to the unit’s management flagging a unique tattoo studying “Deus Vult” that’s been utilized by white supremacists, involved it was a sign of an “Insider Risk.”
If Hegseth assumes workplace, it could imply that somebody who has stated it’s a sham that extremism is an issue within the army would oversee a sprawling division whose management reacted with alarm when folks in tactical gear stormed up the U.S. Capitol steps on Jan. 6 in military-style stack formation. He’s additionally proven assist for members of the army accused of struggle crimes and criticized the army’s justice system.
The e-mail in query:
This January 2021 e-mail from Hegseth’s Nationwide Guard safety supervisor have to be learn — a jumbled phrase salad stupidly making an attempt to tie Hegseth to white supremacists due to a “Deus Vult” tattoo. It’s a Catholic motto courting again 1,000 years & it means “God wills it.” That’s it. https://t.co/WOYFj9M0Ne pic.twitter.com/i7P9ajp3Pn
— Jerry Dunleavy IV (@JerryDunleavy) November 15, 2024
Ultimately Hegseth wasn’t busted for his Structure preamble tattoo (that we all know of):
Hegseth drew nationwide consideration for his tattoos through the Navy SEAL Swim throughout the Hudson River in 2023 with Fox co-host Will Cain:
‘GLORY TO GOD’: ‘Fox & Pals Weekend’ co-hosts Will Cain and Pete Hegseth be part of 70 others for the 2023 NYC Navy SEAL Swim throughout the Hudson River. https://t.co/HeFicJ7bXM pic.twitter.com/yTeduH2WtW
— Fox Information (@FoxNews) August 20, 2023
The Trump marketing campaign went to bat for Hegseth Friday evening: “MEET @PeteHegseth: — 20+ 12 months veteran with excursions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and guard at Gitmo — Two Bronze Stars; Fight Infantryman Badge — Two Ivy League levels — Veterans advocate — Subsequent Secretary of Protection”
MEET @PeteHegseth:
— 20+ 12 months veteran with excursions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and guard at Gitmo
— Two Bronze Stars; Fight Infantryman Badge
— Two Ivy League levels
— Veterans advocate
— Subsequent Secretary of Protection pic.twitter.com/IFLe5RvNRh
— Trump Conflict Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 16, 2024