Sen. Warren has a prejudice against Hegseth tattoos

 DC Daily Journal:

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Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has launched a sharp critique of a Trump administration nominee over his Christian views, even as her longstanding ties to a controversial Muslim group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), draw renewed scrutiny.

Warren sent a scathing letter to Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth ahead of his Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, questioning his suitability for the role. At the heart of her critique was Hegseth’s Christian tattoo, which Warren labeled as linked to “right-wing extremism” based on internal reports from fellow service-members.

“You were … removed from President [Joe] Biden’s inauguration because of concerns that you were an insider threat after reports that your ‘Deus Vult’ tattoo ‘was a Christian expression associated with right-wing extremism,’” Warren wrote.

“We cannot have a Defense Secretary whose fellow servicemembers feel concerned enough about to report as a potential insider threat.”

Hegseth defended his tattoo during the hearing, clarifying that it is a “Jerusalem cross,” a historical Christian symbol. “Interestingly, recently I attended briefly the memorial ceremony of former President Jimmy Carter on the floor of our national cathedral,” he said. “On the front page of his program was the very same Jerusalem cross.”

While Warren scrutinizes Hegseth’s faith-based symbol, her own ties to CAIR — a group accused of extremist sympathies — raise questions about her stance on extremism.

CAIR, which bills itself as a Muslim civil rights organization, came under fire after its National Executive Director Nihad Awad seemingly justified Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Awad described Hamas’s actions as Palestinians “breaking their shackles,” though he later claimed his remarks were taken out of context.
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While I managed to survive my time as an officer in the Marine Corps without getting a tattoo, there were certainly a lot of Marines who had them.  The eagle globe and anchor tattoo was popular along with USMC tattoos.  There were also some with a sexual theme.  Hegseth should be judged on his merits and not his tattoos.  I think he is smart enough for the job.