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Pete Hegseth is advocating for a new Christian crusade and believes in using a Christian perspective in leadership. He has expressed admiration for historical religious military campaigns and has been chosen to lead the Defense Department.
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 that he believed could provide insights for modern warfare: the Crusades. This series of medieval battles involved Christian soldiers from Western Europe engaging in aggressive missions to take control of Jerusalem and other territories held by Muslims.
In the past few years, he has embraced a confrontational form of Christianity and expressed the belief that those who appreciate Western civilization should show gratitude to the Crusaders. He also has a tattoo on his arm that reads "Deus Vult," which he sees as a rallying cry from 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 tool we should rely on. He compared the need for action to the resolve of Christians from a thousand years ago.
Despite increasing revelations about his past, such as accusations of sexual misconduct, alcoholism, and financial mismanagement, Mr. Trump has continued to support Mr. Hegseth as his pick for secretary of defense. Mr. Hegseth has strongly denied these accusations, believing them to be a ploy to derail Mr. Trump’s plans.
In the past, there have been discussions about Mr. Hegseth’s religious expressions. He claimed that he was not allowed to be part of the security team for President Biden’s inauguration in 2021 due to a tattoo on his chest that showed a Jerusalem Cross, a symbol associated with crusaders. Reports from Reuters and other sources stated that his tattoos, which included the Deus Vult motto linked to white supremacists, led a fellow service member to raise concerns about Mr. Hegseth potentially being a threat from within.
Mr. Hegseth is interested in the Crusades because they align with his Christian beliefs and worldview. He believes that if the United States cannot effectively defend against Islamist and leftist ideology, the nation will be destroyed and human freedom will be lost.
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