Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny after recent photos taken during a training exercise at Pearl Harbor revealed a new tattoo on his right forearm. The tattoo features the Arabic word “kafir,” which, according to Islamic scholar Abdullah Al Andalusi, refers to someone who rejects or disbelieves in true faith, as described in the Quran.
The “kafir” tattoo is situated beneath another tattoo reading “Deus Vult,” a slogan historically associated with the First Crusade. Together, the tattoos have drawn criticism for their perceived hostility toward Islam, with some viewing them as symbols of intolerance.
Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), expressed strong disapproval of the tattoos. “It appears Islam lives so rent-free in Pete Hegseth’s head that he feels the need to stamp himself with tattoos declaring his opposition to Islam, alongside a tattoo declaring his affinity for the failed Crusaders, who committed genocidal acts of violence against Jews, Muslims, and even fellow Christians centuries ago,” Awad stated in a public response.
The Department of Defense was contacted for comment on Thursday but did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s inquiry regarding Hegseth’s tattoos.
Controversy Amid Other Security Issues
The tattoo incident comes at a time when Hegseth is already facing controversy for a separate security breach. Reports revealed that Hegseth, along with other top government officials, inadvertently discussed sensitive U.S. attack plans over a publicly accessible messaging app, adding Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to the conversation. Hegseth denied discussing military plans, calling Goldberg’s report “deceitful” and refusing to comment further when approached by reporters in Hawaii.
Allegations of Islamophobia and Extremist Ties
Hegseth has previously been accused of Islamophobia. In December, The New Yorker reported that he had been allegedly heard chanting “Kill All Muslims!” while intoxicated at a bar in Ohio in 2015. His lawyer denied the allegations.
In addition to the recent tattoo controversy, Hegseth, a former Army National Guard veteran and Fox News commentator, has faced scrutiny regarding his tattoos in the past. He claimed that he was removed from a National Guard deployment to President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021 due to concerns over the extremist nature of his tattoos. One of these tattoos, he explained, is a Jerusalem Cross, which he associates with his Christian faith.
The Associated Press reported that at least 12 National Guard members were removed from the inauguration ceremony due to suspected extremist ties.
Ongoing Efforts to Address Extremism in the Military
Hegseth’s controversial tattoos and past incidents have added to ongoing concerns about extremism within the U.S. military. USA TODAY conducted an in-depth investigation into the military’s efforts to combat extremism in its ranks following the January 6th Capitol insurrection.
As of now, the Department of Defense has not issued a response regarding the ongoing public debate over Hegseth’s tattoos.
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