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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing mounting criticism after posting a photo that attracted attention to a tattoo which reads "kafir," the Arabic word for "infidel" or "disbeliever."
The tattoo, displayed in photos shared on his official social media accounts, has ignited a fresh wave of outrage among civil rights groups, Muslim communities, and members of Congress.
Critics argue that the tattoo is not just a personal expression but a symbol of deep-rooted hostility toward Islam, especially troubling for the individual responsible for overseeing U.S. military operations.
Pro-Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani was among the first to voice concern regarding the negative connotations of the U.S. Defence Secretary's tattoo, posting on X.
Hegseth just got a kafir (كافر) tattoo under his Deus Vult tattoo - a Crusader slogan. This isn’t just a personal choice; it’s a clear symbol of Islamophobia from the man overseeing U.S. wars.
'Kafir' has been weaponized by far-right Islamophobes to mock and vilify Muslims. It’s not about his personal beliefs. It’s about how these beliefs translate into policy—how they shape military decisions, surveillance programs, and foreign interventions targeting Muslim countries.
The U.S. just bombed Yemen. This is the real-world impact of officials who glorify imperialist violence. These tattoos aren’t harmless—they reflect the policies that continue to kill and oppress Muslims worldwide.
This is the normalization of Islamophobia at the highest levels of power. What else is this supposed to mean besides U.S. foreign policy being a crusade against Muslims?
Nerdeen Kiswani explained
Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told Newsweek that Hegseth's tattoo amounts to an "open declaration of anti-Muslim hostility."
According to Islamic scholar Abdullah Al Andalusi, the word "kafir" is used in the Quran to denote those who reject divine truth, but it has taken on an antagonistic tone when used in political and military contexts.
The choice of tattoo also draws comparisons to known far-right figures. Joe Biggs, a former leader of the Proud Boys, reportedly has the same word tattooed on his body.
The controversy is further inflamed by Hegseth's long history of tattoos invoking crusader imagery.
Looking at his social media history, Hegseth did not appear to have the "kafir" tattoo in a May 2020 post, where the area beneath his "Deus Vult" tattoo was still bare. The tattoo first became visible in a video shared in January 2024, prompting questions about the timing and intent behind it.
It can be suggested that he may have gotten the tattoo in response to escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine. He may have done so after learning he was being considered for the role of Secretary of Defense, possibly to signal a firm stance on Middle East policy.
The leak: On March 15, Hegseth shared sensitive details about an upcoming U.S. military strike in Yemen on Signal, a private messaging app. One unexpected recipient? Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. The messages, later published by the magazine, included timing and targeting information for the operation.
The defense: Pete Hegseth denied that classified information was disclosed. However, Goldberg argued that the level of detail constituted one of the most serious security lapses he had ever witnessed. The Pentagon declined comment, while the White House admitted the messages contained sensitive, though not necessarily classified, material.
The fallout: Lawmakers from both parties expressed concern. During a congressional hearing on March 26, Rep. Jimmy Gomez asked if Hegseth had been drinking at the time of the leak. CIA Director John Ratcliffe called the line of questioning "offensive," while Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she had no insight into Hegseth’s personal conduct.
The reaction: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran, countered Ratcliffe's defense. She said that if any military personnel had committed such a breach, they would be expected to resign. She and others criticized the administration’s handling of the leak, especially after it was revealed that the Signal chat included celebratory emojis and remarks mocking European allies.
Concerns about Pete Hegseth's judgment are compounded by longstanding allegations of alcohol abuse.
A 2024 NBC News report cited multiple former Fox News colleagues who described Hegseth as appearing intoxicated before going on air. Two sources claimed they frequently smelled alcohol on him before live segments and that he often joked about hangovers. These behaviors reportedly continued until his departure from the network.
In congressional hearings earlier this year, Democrats raised the issue again. During Pete Hegseth's confirmation process in January, Hegseth pledged not to drink while in office.
However, viral images from a NATO press conference in February showed him holding a drink, which some speculated was alcohol. Although higher-quality video later showed it was a clear liquid, the incident renewed public scrutiny.
A whistleblower report from Pete Hegseth's time leading Concerned Veterans for America also accused him of being intoxicated at official events, including a 2014 incident at a Louisiana strip club where he allegedly had to be restrained.
The defense secretary's record has also been clouded by a 2017 sexual assault allegation. While Hegseth was never charged, he reached a private settlement with the accuser.
His lawyer claimed the woman took advantage of Hegseth after he had "way too many drinks." The case resurfaced during Hegseth's Senate confirmation hearings, where Democrats cited the incident as part of a broader pattern of misconduct.
In addition, leaked emails from Hegseth's mother, published by the New York Times, accused him of being an "abuser of women" during a tumultuous divorce. She later apologized publicly, but the message added fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding Hegseth's behavior and suitability for office.
Despite growing criticism, Hegseth has continued to defend his record and rejects calls to resign. However, with new controversies emerging almost weekly, his tenure as Defense Secretary remains under intense scrutiny.
Lawmakers from both parties are now pushing for formal investigations into whether his conduct has compromised national security or the integrity of the Defense Department.
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