Incoming Sec Def Hegseth blasts AP for 'anti-Christian bigotry,' spreading false claim his tattoo praising God is 'white supremacist'

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has been targeted by the Associated Press for Hegseth having what the outlet claims is a tattoo associated with "white supremacy" despite the ink being a Christian slogan. Hegseth blasted the outlet for displaying "anti-Christian bigotry" by spreading the claim.

AP reporter Tara Copp posted on her X account, that Hegseth "was flagged as a possible 'Insider Threat' by a fellow service member due to a tattoo he has that’s associated with white supremacists," adding a link to a report that she and others published in the post. 

The outlet cited an email that said a tattoo on Hegseth's bicep that says "Deus Vult," which is Latin for "God wills it" is associated with white supremacist groups. After JD Vance posted a response to the report, Hegseth chimed in and wrote that it was "anti-Christian bigotry in the media on full display."

He added, "They can target me — I don’t give a d*mn — but this type of targeting of Christians, conservatives, patriots and everyday Americans will stop on DAY ONE at DJT’s DoD."

Hegseth previously worked for the District of Columbia National Guard and was pulled from guarding Joe Biden's inauguration after a fellow Guard member wrote an email to superiors saying that the "Deus Vult" tattoo made Hegseth a supposed "Insider Threat" from the military.

According to the Washington Examiner, the phrase has roots in the Crusades with Catholic knights and is frequently used by religious groups with similar roots. His Jerusalem Cross tattoo, which represents the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John with a larger cross in the center representing Jesus Christ, has similar origins and has also been brought into question.