Key Takeaways:
– President-elect Donald Trump nominates Pete Hegseth, a Fox & Friends host, for U.S. Secretary of Defense.
– Critics express alarm due to Hegseth’s lack of qualifications and his alleged ties to extreme Christian theologies.
– Hegseth has served in the Minnesota Army National Guard since 2003 and has received several awards for his service.
– Hegseth was reportedly removed from securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration due to extremist statements.
In a surprising move, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pete Hegseth, a Fox & Friends weekend edition host, to the position of U.S. Secretary of Defense. This nomination hasn’t been well received by everyone. A range of critics, including some key Republicans, are voicing concerns over Hegseth’s qualifications for one of the world’s most significant posts.
Hegseth’s Controversial Associations
The main issues of concern revolve around Hegseth’s alleged ties to far-right Christian nationalist movements. London-based nonprofit, Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), released a statement warning about Hegseth’s affiliations with these extremist theologies.
The Ins and Outs of Hegseth’s Military Service
Drawing a comparison to the incumbent U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, it’s essential to note that Austin is a retired four-star U.S. Army General. His vast experience includes serving as commander of several esteemed U.S. Forces and the recipient of several high-ranking awards for his valor and distinguished service.
On the other hand, Hegseth’s military service began in 2003 with the Minnesota Army National Guard. Though he holds the rank of Major and has received multiple awards, his experience significantly pales compared to Austin’s. Hegseth has served at Guantánamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Addressing Allegations Prior to Inauguration
Just before Joe Biden took office as the 46th U.S. President, there were reports about twelve U.S. National Guard members being held from securing the inauguration. The individuals in question had expressed extremist views in posts or texts about the event.
Jim LaPorta, a notable journalist now working with CBS News Confirmed, last week highlighted that Pete Hegseth was one of the individuals from the National Guard removed from Biden’s inauguration duty.
Unraveling Hegseth’s Tattoos
One of the reasons for Hegseth’s disqualification from the inauguration duty was reportedly his tattoo, which he claims is just a Christian symbol. However, religion scholar Matthew D. Taylor argues that the said ‘Jerusalem Cross’ tattoo and another one bearing ‘Deus Vult’ on Pete’s bicep are ideologically charged and not merely religious.
These symbols and their meanings offer insights into Hegseth’s ideology. The tattoo ‘Deus Vult’ or ‘God wills it’ is historically associated with the Crusaders’ violent actions, and in recent years, right-wing nationalist groups have adopted it.
Moreover, his tattoos seem to be a summary of today’s Christian nationalist folklore, with engravings that resonate with militia movements and QAnon. There’s a mixture of weapon iconography, inscriptions from the Revolution era, and Crusader symbolism that continues to raise eyebrows across the globe.
Looking Forward
Trump’s nomination of Hegseth as the U.S. Secretary of Defense has sparked concerns and brought to light some disturbing revelations. From his lack of experience compared to his predecessor to his alleged extremist viewpoints, this nomination is something to keep an eye on. The coming weeks and months will certainly shed more light on Hegseth’s qualifications and potential for overseeing the nation’s defense.