Politico claims Pete Hegseth is proponent of ‘aggressive form of Christianity’ that will harm US Armed Forces

In an article titled "Pete Hegseth's religious crusade to overhaul the military," Politico writer Jasper Craven criticized Hegseth for his Jerusalem cross tattoo, which he says is "associated with the Christian right."

"Just after Jan. 6, 2021, when scores of active-duty troops and veterans participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, a fellow member of the Army National Guard flagged Hegseth’s tattoos as evidence he was a potential 'insider threat.' Along with the Jerusalem cross, Hegseth also has a tattoo that reads 'Deus Vult' or 'God wills it' — a motto from the Crusades that has been adopted by white supremacists and was seen at the deadly march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017," Craven wrote.

Hegseth has called out similar criticism as being anti-Christian. He also has a tattoo that reads "We the people," as well as one of an AR-15.

"Based on numerous public statements and writings, it’s likely he will aim to undermine the military’s long-standing nonpartisan pluralism by scrubbing diversity from the ranks, banning women in combat, urging the military to choose sides in a 'civil war' against 'domestic enemies' on the left, and orienting the military’s mission around his fixation on the Muslim world, which he feels represents an existential threat to Western civilization," Craven continued.

He criticized Hegseth for turning to Christianity after his 2021 resignation from the military. He also criticized him for his belief in reformed reconstructionism, a movement that believes society should reconstruct under the lordship of Jesus Christ—something that is not uncommon for Christians to believe.

Craven further criticized Hegseth by suggesting he's a hypocrite for being "twice divorced" and having "had a child out of wedlock." He highlighted a 2017 rape accusation against Hegseth, which Hegseth and his lawyer have denied. Hegseth was not charged with any crime and settled with the woman out of court.