President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has addressed criticism over his tattoos, which some have claimed are linked to white supremacists.

Wow: Journalist Tara Copp was flagged as a possible white supremacist because “AP” could mean “Aryan Power,” according to a tendentious and partisan distortion of the facts. This is seriously concerning, @AP.

— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) November 15, 2024

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The controversy stems from a tattoo on Hegseth’s bicep reading “Deus Vult,” a Latin phrase meaning “God Wills It,” historically associated with the Crusades.

The phrase has also been referenced by some extremist groups, leading to scrutiny of Hegseth’s nomination.

The Associated Press reported that Hegseth, a National Guard veteran and Fox News personality, had been removed from National Guard duty during Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration due to concerns about the tattoo.

The tattoo, along with a Jerusalem Cross on his chest, has drawn attention as Hegseth prepares for confirmation hearings to lead the Department of Defense.

🇺🇸 DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH: When I was doing a series for Fox Nation I did an interview while getting tattooed by the only tattoo artist in Bethlehem.

I got Yehweh — Jesus in Hebrew.

Also on my forearm I have a Benjamin Franklin, effectively, political cartoon from the… pic.twitter.com/dXB7SUiIUR

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) November 13, 2024

Hegseth defended himself on social media, responding to a post from Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who criticized the media coverage. “They’re attacking Pete Hegseth for having a Christian motto tattooed on his arm. This is disgusting anti-Christian bigotry from the AP, and the entire organization should be ashamed of itself,” Vance wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Hegseth echoed Vance’s sentiments, writing, “Amen JD Vance. Anti-Christian bigotry in the media on full display. This type of targeting of Christians, conservatives, patriots and everyday Americans will stop on DAY ONE at DJT’s DoD.”

Amen @JDVance. Anti-Christian bigotry in the media on full display.

They can target me — I don’t give a damn — but this type of targeting of Christians, conservatives, patriots and everyday Americans will stop on DAY ONE at DJT’s DoD. https://t.co/TCZVWsxEAS

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 15, 2024

Hegseth’s tattoos have been a topic of discussion in recent weeks, with critics accusing him of harboring extremist views.

Trump’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has a “We The People” tattoo, a “Deus Vult” tattoo, and a Christian cross tattooed on his chest and you’re blackpilling? pic.twitter.com/TdVBkxMJ9h

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 13, 2024

However, supporters, including Vance and others, argue that the scrutiny is an example of bias against Christians and conservatives.

Michael LaRosa, former spokesman for First Lady Jill Biden, also criticized the attacks on Hegseth. Reacting to an MSNBC guest’s accusation that Hegseth is a white supremacist for opposing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military, LaRosa urged Democrats to refrain from such rhetoric.

“This s*** has to stop,” LaRosa wrote on X. “Opposing DEI initiatives does not make you a white supremacist. Conversations and demonization like this are a big part of the reason we got our asses kicked.”

He continued, “The answer to extremism is not more extremism. Voices like this on the left are turning the Democratic Party into a joke. We’ve got to knock it off and get serious guests who are going to diagnose politics, not make it worse. Name-calling, vilifying, and defaming nominees you oppose, even if there is very good reason to oppose them, represents everything the Democratic Party should be RUNNING away from.”

This shit has to stop. Opposing DEI initiatives does not make you a white supremacist. Conversations and demonization like this are a big part of the reason we got our asses kicked.

The answer to extremism is not more extremism. Voices like this on the left are turning the…

— Michael LaRosa (@MichaelLaRosaDC) November 15, 2024

Hegseth’s nomination by Trump is widely seen as a move to eliminate DEI programs and address what many conservatives view as “woke” policies within the military.

Speaking on a podcast before his nomination, Hegseth outlined his approach to reforming the Department of Defense.

“Well first of all, you’ve got to fire the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and you’ve got to fire — I mean obviously you’ve got to bring in a new Secretary of Defense, but any general that was involved — general, admiral, whatever — that was involved in any of the DEI woke s*** has got to go,” Hegseth said.

🚨NEW: Newly appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on reforming US military leadership:

Anyone “involved in the woke sh*t has got to go…you have to reestablish that trust by putting in no-nonsense warfighters in those positions who aren’t going to cater to the socially… pic.twitter.com/9181gOVp2q

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) November 13, 2024

Hegseth’s confirmation process is expected to draw significant attention, with supporters praising his willingness to challenge military policies and critics questioning his fitness for the role.

As the hearings approach, his defense of religious freedom and opposition to DEI programs will likely be focal points of the debate.