Vance: Calling Out Pete Hegseth’s Extremist Tattoos Is “Disgusting Shameful Anti-Christian Bigotry” By Media

Mother Jones reports:

Pete Hegseth and the Trump camp have spent recent days push back against two simultaneous controversies: allegations that Hegseth has “extremist” tattoos, as some critics have charged, and that Hegseth was previously investigated by police in California over a sexual misconduct claim.

On X, Hegseth has retweeted posts expressing support for him, including one that reads, “The fact Pete was banned from duty for expressing his Christian beliefs is exactly why he needs to be SECDEF.”

JD Vance called the Associated Press’ coverage of the controversy “disgusting anti-Christian bigotry,” writing, “They’re attacking Pete Hegseth for having a Christian motto tattooed on his arm.” Hegseth agreed, reposting the tweet.

CBS News reports:

“Deus Vult” is the Christian motto that refers to divine providence. It originated as the rallying cry of the Crusaders. But experts in domestic violent extremism say the Latin phrase has also been co-opted by some members of the far right in recent years.

For example, Mauricio Martinez Garcia, the gunman behind the 2023 mass shooting in Allen, Texas, had a “Deus Vult” tattoo, according to the Anti-Defamation League, in addition to neo-Nazi tattoos. The group also says the phrase is “commonly used as an anti-Muslim symbol.”

Christians have long declared that calling out Christian bigotry is itself anti-Christian bigotry. Same as it ever was.