Alex Constantine - November 15, 2024
About the symbol on Hegseth's chest: The heraldic Jerusalem Cross is a historical and distinctly Christian symbol, also known as the "five-fold" cross," and the "Crusader's Cross". It was designed during the Crusades and was the coat of arms for the Kingdom of Jerusalem under Vatican occupation The cross in the center represents Christ, and was used by the Templars. The four small crosses stand or Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Strip away the small stars and you have the Maltese Cross, a standard Chistian/Nazi symbol. Christian Nationalists often adopt these designs (also the Celtic Cross) to symbolize their own militarism and devotion to a "sacred" cause. - AC
"He advocated extensively to gain pardons for troops accused and convicted of war crimes. And he was one of a dozen troops turned away from serving on the National Guard mission to defend the Capitol, allegedly over tattoos that are popular with neo-Nazi and far-right groups. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's surprise pick to be the next defense secretary, has an extensive history of combat in the culture wars that have been brewing over the military for the past decade. ..." - Military.com
RELATED: "Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Pentagon pick, sparks alarm over far-right extremism"
Trump’s Pick to Lead U.S. Military Has Tattoos Linked to White Supremacists and Nazis
Democracy Now! Nov 14, 2024
Concerns are mounting over Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth. CBS News reports that Hegseth was one of 12 National Guard members who were removed as guards for President Biden’s 2021 inauguration over possible extremist ties. Hegseth has tattoos associated with the white supremacist and neo-Nazi movements, including what’s known as a Jerusalem cross, a symbol used by Christian nationalists.
In related news, the government watchdog Accountable.US announced it’s launching a “Trump Accountability War Room” to monitor Trump’s appointments and executive actions as he takes up his second term.
Also see: "Pete Hegseth, Trump's pick for defense secretary, was investigated for alleged sexual assault in 2017"