Pete Hegseth is pretty much impossible to ignore these days. Whether you know him from his years on Fox & Friends or his time in the Army, his physical appearance—specifically the heavy amount of ink on his arms and chest—has become a massive flashpoint in American politics. People have a lot of opinions. Honestly, most of those opinions depend entirely on which news channel you watch.
Basically, the Pete Hegseth tattoos have transitioned from personal expressions of faith and service to evidence in a nationwide debate about extremism, military culture, and "woke" ideology. If you’ve seen the headlines, you've probably heard about the Jerusalem cross or the Latin phrases. But what do they actually mean to the man wearing them? And why did they get him flagged as an "insider threat" by his own National Guard unit?
The Chest Piece: That Massive Jerusalem Cross
The most visible of all his tattoos is the large Jerusalem cross centered on his chest. It’s hard to miss. It consists of one large central cross surrounded by four smaller crosses in each quadrant.
For Hegseth, the meaning is straightforward. He’s an evangelical Christian, and he’s repeatedly described it as a "historic Christian symbol." He even pointed out during a Senate confirmation hearing that the same cross appeared on the memorial program for former President Jimmy Carter. He sees it as a sign of his faith—period.
However, the history is a bit more tangled than that. This specific design dates back to the 11th century. It was the coat of arms for the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the Crusades. Because of that "crusader" connection, some groups—including certain far-right and white supremacist organizations—have co-opted the symbol. This led to a major incident in 2021. Hegseth was actually pulled from duty guarding Joe Biden’s inauguration because a fellow guardsman flagged the tattoo as a potential indicator of extremism. Hegseth eventually resigned from the Individual Ready Reserve over the ordeal, calling the accusations "anti-Christian bigotry."
"Deus Vult" and the Bicep Controversy
On his bicep, Hegseth has the Latin phrase "Deus Vult" tattooed. This translates to "God wills it."
Historically, this was the rallying cry of the First Crusade in 1095. It’s also the final sentence in Hegseth’s 2020 book, American Crusade. He views the phrase through a lens of religious devotion and the defense of Western values. To his critics, though, the phrase is a red flag. Organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have noted that "Deus Vult" has been adopted by some white supremacist groups.
The debate here is classic 2026 politics: Is it a centuries-old religious motto, or is it a modern dog whistle? Hegseth has been very vocal that for him, it's about the former. He’s pushed back hard against the idea that his personal faith should be equated with extremist violence.
The Arabic Script: "Kafir"
One of the more recent additions to the Pete Hegseth tattoos collection is a word in Arabic script on his inner bicep. The word is "Kafir," which means "infidel" or "non-believer."
This one really stirred the pot. It was spotted in photos from early 2025 while Hegseth was visiting a military base in Hawaii. In some military circles—especially those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan—wearing the word "infidel" is seen as a mark of defiance against radical Islamic extremists who use the term as a slur against Westerners.
Critics, however, argue the tattoo is Islamophobic. Groups like CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) have condemned it, suggesting it signals hostility toward the thousands of Muslims serving in the U.S. military. For Hegseth’s supporters, it’s just another example of a "warrior culture" being unfairly scrutinized by people who have never been in the dirt.
Patriotism and the Revolutionary Spirit
Not all of his ink is tied to the Crusades or religion. A good chunk of it is pure Americana.
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- "We the People": The famous opening of the U.S. Constitution is tattooed on his forearm.
- "Join, or Die": He has the famous Benjamin Franklin "chopped-up snake" cartoon, which was a symbol of colonial unity during the Revolutionary War.
- 1775: He has these Roman numerals, marking the year the American War of Independence kicked off.
- Regimental Patch: He sports the patch of the 187th Infantry, a nod to his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
These are pretty standard for veterans. You'll find similar designs in almost any VFW hall in the country. They reflect a guy who views himself as a "citizen-soldier" deeply rooted in the founding principles of the country.
The Sword and "Yeshua"
Further down his arm, there’s a tattoo of a cross and a sword. Hegseth has explained that this references a verse from the Gospel of Matthew: "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."
Underneath the sword, he added the name "Yeshua" (Jesus) in Hebrew. He actually got this one while reporting in Bethlehem for Fox Nation. He visited a local tattoo artist who caters to Christian pilgrims. In his telling, the tattoo was a way to support a Christian-owned business in a region where the Christian population has been rapidly shrinking. It’s a permanent souvenir of his trip to the Holy Land.
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Why the Scrutiny Matters
The reason we’re even talking about Pete Hegseth's tattoos isn't just because people like looking at ink. It’s because of his role in the government. When he was nominated for Secretary of Defense, his body art became a proxy for the debate over "extremism in the ranks."
The military has very strict rules about tattoos. They can’t be "extremist, indecent, sexist, or racist." The problem is that "extremist" is often in the eye of the beholder. Hegseth argues that symbols of the Christian faith are being unfairly targeted by a "woke" Pentagon. His detractors argue that certain symbols, regardless of their original meaning, carry too much baggage to be worn by the person leading the world’s most powerful military.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Review Military Regulations: If you're interested in how the Department of Defense actually defines these terms, look up Army Regulation 670-1. It details the specific categories of prohibited tattoos.
- Contextualize the Symbols: Research the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. This is a Vatican-recognized order that uses the Jerusalem cross and the motto "Deus Vult" to this day, providing a non-political context for these symbols.
- Monitor Policy Changes: Keep an eye on the Defense Secretary's directives regarding recruitment and "extremism" training, as these often shift depending on the administration in power.