Hegseth has said this tattoo, which has been associated with extremist groups, prevented him from serving as a member of the National Guard at President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Pete Hegseth defended his chest tattoo as a standard Christian symbol, not an extremist symbol. “I was identified as an extremist by my own unit for a Christian tattoo,” he said. The tattoo in question was “Deus Vult,

But did this happen at the Pete Hegseth hearings in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee this week? If you thought those kinds of questions would dominate the hearings, you must be living under the illusion that we live in a serious country.

Lt. Col. Jim Mattis fought in the Gulf War — he later retired as a four-star general and was Trump’s first defense secretary. And Trump’s final acting Pentagon chief, Chris Miller, served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army special forces officer. He later retired as a colonel.

Senators, especially Democratic members, grilled Hegseth over his record, his tattoos, and his views on women in the military.

Critics of Trump's defense secretary nominee say the symbol has been adopted by extremist groups, including white supremacists.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked Pete Hegseth, during his confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary on Tuesday, whether he would comply with the same restrictions he supports preventing generals from going on to work for defense contractors: SEN.

Defense secretary nominee will publicly face senators for the first time after weeks of privately pushing back on criticism

Confirmation hearings for President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees begin this week. Among the first will be Pete Hegseth, the former Army National Guard officer and FOX News host nominated for secretary of defense.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, is facing tough questions today during his confirmation hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee.

FOX Business host Larry Kudlow gives his take on Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing for secretary of defense on 'Kudlow.'

Hegseth says he will be a “change agent” and a “warrior” as Republicans demand new and strong leadership at the Pentagon.