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.
  • 52fighters@lemmy.sdf.org
    0·
    3 days ago

    I am looking at other photos. I can also see “Ne Desit Virtus” (Let Valor Not Fail) with a sword. That’s a symbol from the 187th Infantry Regiment. I also see the Chi Rho symbol, a Greek symbol for the name of Christ. Another tattoo is “MDCCLXXV” for 1775. Above that tattoo is an American Flag with a gun superimposed on it. I am not sure if these mean a recalling of the US War for Independence. The gun looks modern but could also serve as a bridge to the modern military of the US. On his other arm is “Deus Vult.”

    Broadly speaking, these tattoos suggest both military service and Christian identity.

    Not found are any symbols I’ve seen identified with White Nationalism. No Valknot, swastika, black sun, 88 symbol, Confederate symbolism, etc.

    Edit: The photo I was looking at is here: [https://i.imgur.com/kkroDES.png].

    • Miaou@jlai.lu
      0·
      3 days ago

      Only USAians will see somebody with a flag tattoo and not think “this is fascist scum”.

    • danc4498@lemmy.worldEnglish
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      3 days ago

      Dude is definitely a nut, but when we start throwing around terms like “white nationalists” for things that are absolutely not white nationalism, it dilutes the impact of claims about people who legitimately are white nationalists.

      • I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world
        0·
        3 days ago

        Political echo chambers have been in “Two Minutes of Hate” mode for years now. Throw every insult imaginable at your opponents. Even if it doesn’t fit, even if it doesn’t make sense. Just hold someone up and go “This is the bad man! Boo the bad man! Boooooo!” Anyone who cares ask “Why are we booing? And what makes this man bad?” Is immediately silenced by others because it’s just so obvious he’s a bad man. Look at all the other people booing him!

        Meanwhile his face is digitally changed to a bleating goat, and the people cheer.

        This happens on both right and left wing echo chambers.

      • danc4498@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        3 days ago

        Hi, I’ve never heard of adl.org, but I searched for Jerusalem cross on this site and found no results. Does that work as confirmation that this symbol is NOT a white nationalist symbol?

    • Adm_Drummer@lemmy.world
      0·
      3 days ago

      Deus Vult has indeed been co-opted by white supremacists along with a lot of crusader/christian symbolism.