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Pete Hegseth is advocating for a new Christian crusade, drawing inspiration from past religious military campaigns and emphasizing the importance of a Christian perspective in governance. He has been chosen to head the Defense Department and has expressed admiration for the historical crusades.
Authored by Mike Baker and Ruth Graham
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Prior to being chosen by Donald J. Trump to head the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth frequently discussed a historical military campaign he believed could serve as a blueprint for modern warfare: the Crusades. This was a series of brutal expeditions by Christian soldiers from Western Europe aimed at gaining control of Jerusalem and other territories held by Muslim powers in medieval times.
In the past few years, he has adopted a confrontational form of Christianity and expressed the belief that those who benefit from Western civilization should show gratitude to the Crusaders. He has a tattoo on his arm that says "Deus Vult," which he defines as a rallying cry used during the Crusades.
In his book "American Crusade" published in May 2020, he stated that voting is a powerful tool, but it is not the only action needed. He likened the current situation to the need for Christians to defend their beliefs a thousand years ago.
Despite numerous revelations about his past, such as accusations of sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse, and financial mismanagement, President Trump continues to support Mr. Hegseth as his pick for secretary of defense. Mr. Hegseth has strongly denied the allegations, stating that they are merely an effort to obstruct President Trump’s plans.
In the past, there have been concerns about Mr. Hegseth expressing his religious beliefs. He claimed that he was not allowed to be part of the security team for President Biden’s inauguration in 2021 because of a tattoo on his chest that showed a Jerusalem Cross, a symbol associated with crusaders. Some reports, including from Reuters, mentioned that his tattoos, which included the Deus Vult motto linked to white supremacists, led a fellow service member to identify Mr. Hegseth as a possible "insider threat."
Mr. Hegseth’s fascination with the Crusades, which were known for their many brutal acts and are now considered a dark part of Christianity’s past, is tied to his Christian faith and overall perspective on the world. He believes that if the US fails to effectively combat Islamist and leftist ideologies, the country will be destroyed and freedom will be lost.
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