Trump’s Pentagon choice Pete Hegseth once flagged as ‘Insider Threat’

On January 14, 2021, National Guard Master Sergeant DeRicko Gaither raised concerns about Pete Hegseth, who had just been announced as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary.

Gaither’s email to Major General William Walker, the commanding general of the Washington, DC, National Guard, highlighted troubling information about Hegseth as preparations intensified for Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration on January 20, according to a TRT.com report published today.

“This information is quite disturbing, sir,” Gaither wrote. He flagged a tattoo on Hegseth’s bicep bearing the phrase “Deus Vult”—a Latin term meaning “God Wills It,” which originated as a rallying cry during the Crusades. Online research led Gaither to associate the phrase with far-right Christian extremism. Gaither also attached a photo of Hegseth shirtless, revealing another tattoo: the Jerusalem Cross. While the cross is historically significant in Christianity, it has been appropriated by certain far-right groups as a symbol of defending “Western civilization.”

“This falls along the lines of (an) Insider Threat,” Gaither stated in his email. At the time, Gaither served as the head of physical security for the Guard, though he has since retired. Reuters obtained a copy of the email, which had not been previously reported.

Hegseth, a Fox News host and military veteran with service in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, was subsequently removed from National Guard duty in Washington. In his book The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free, Hegseth described the experience as a turning point, alleging he was unfairly targeted over his tattoos and labeled an extremist. “The feeling was mutual—I didn’t want this Army anymore either,” he wrote, expressing disillusionment with what he saw as the military’s rejection of his values.

The National Guard has not commented on Hegseth’s tattoos or the circumstances of his withdrawal from Washington duty. Trump’s transition team also did not respond to requests for comment.

However, a second former member of the DC National Guard confirmed that concerns over Hegseth’s tattoos were the basis for internal reviews and discussions. This individual clarified that Hegseth was not officially labeled an extremist but noted that, following the January 6 Capitol riots, leadership chose to err on the side of caution.

Gaither, who acted on a tip from a former Guard member, defended his actions. “I did what I was supposed to do as a leader, and I sent it forward,” he said. “I’m not backing down from it at all.”

Hegseth’s nomination as defense secretary surprised many in Washington. Known for his frequent appearances on conservative media, Hegseth has openly criticized the Pentagon’s so-called “woke” policies and questioned the qualifications of senior leaders, including General Mark Milley, whom he suggested may have been promoted because of his race. His confirmation would require Senate approval, a process expected to scrutinize his controversial views and his past military service.