US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth under fire for Islamophobic tattoo
The tattoo, displayed during his visit to the SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, has drawn sharp criticism
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has sparked widespread backlash and accusations of Islamophobia after revealing a new tattoo on his forearm featuring the Arabic word “kafir,” which translates to “infidel” or “non-believer.”
The tattoo, displayed during his visit to the SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, has drawn sharp criticism from activists, Muslim rights groups, and political commentators.
The controversial tattoo came to light as Hegseth shared images on his X account, sparking accusations of Islamophobia.
Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani called the tattoo a “clear symbol of Islamophobia,” particularly as it appears alongside his “Deus Vult” tattoo, a Crusader slogan. She argued that it reflects his role in shaping US military policies targeting Muslim countries.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the tattoo, describing it as a sign of “anti-Muslim hostility and personal insecurity.” They emphasized that such symbols are inappropriate for someone leading the US military, which includes thousands of Muslim service members.
Writer Tam Hussain noted that the tattoo could be interpreted as a declaration of enmity toward the Muslim world, especially in light of recent US military actions, such as the bombing of a hospital in Yemen.
This incident adds to Hegseth’s history of inflammatory remarks and actions.
In 2015, he reportedly shouted “Kill all Muslims” at a military veterans’ event, and in 2018, he suggested the re-establishment of the Temple on Temple Mount, which could imply the destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
His 2020 book, American Crusade, also portrayed Islam as an “enemy of the West”.
Social media users and experts have widely criticized the tattoo, with many questioning its intent and implications. Critics argue that it reinforces Islamophobic narratives and undermines trust in US leadership among Muslim communities globally.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has yet to issue a formal response to the controversy.
