People are searching for Pete Hegseth no shirt for reasons that have almost nothing to do with fitness or summer vacation photos. It’s about the ink. When the former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran was nominated for Secretary of Defense, the internet went into a frenzy over photos showing his bare chest and arms. Specifically, everyone wanted to see the tattoos. These aren’t just random designs; they’ve become a flashpoint for a massive national debate on symbolism, military culture, and political identity.
It started with a leaked email.
Back in 2021, Hegseth was flagged by a fellow service member due to a specific tattoo on his chest. He eventually stepped back from guarding the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Since then, those images of Hegseth without a shirt have been analyzed by historians, extremists-trackers, and casual observers alike.
The Jerusalem Cross and the "Deus Vult" Factor
The most prominent feature you see in any pete hegseth no shirt photo is the large Jerusalem Cross on his chest. It’s hard to miss. A large central cross surrounded by four smaller ones.
Historically, this symbol dates back to the 13th century. It was the emblem of the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the Crusades. For Hegseth, a graduate of Princeton and Harvard, the symbol is an expression of his deep Christian faith. He has been vocal about this. He views it as a connection to the roots of his belief system. However, the context shifted when the Associated Press and other outlets reported that a "De-Extremism" fellow in the District of Columbia National Guard flagged the tattoo as a potential "white nationalist" symbol.
Is it? Most medieval historians say no, or at least, not inherently.
The symbol is used today by the Catholic Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. You’ll see it on souvenirs in Israel. But the nuance lies in how symbols are co-opted. Some far-right groups have indeed used Crusader imagery. This creates a messy reality where a symbol can mean "faith" to the wearer and "threat" to an observer. Hegseth himself called the backlash "attacks on Christian symbols."
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Then there’s the "Deus Vult" tattoo on his arm. Latin for "God wills it."
This was the battle cry of the First Crusade. Again, it’s a phrase with a dual life. It’s in the Latin Vulgate bible. It’s also used by various internet subcultures. When you see Hegseth in a t-shirt or without one, these markings are the first thing people point to. They aren't just tattoos; they are political statements in the eyes of the public.
Why the Military Cares About Your Skin
The U.S. military has some of the most specific tattoo policies on the planet. Army Regulation 670-1 is the rulebook. It bans anything "extremist, indecent, sexist, or racist."
Hegseth’s tattoos didn't technically violate the written policy at the time he served, as he was a highly decorated officer with Bronze Stars. However, the military's sensitivity to "insider threats" spiked after January 6th. The concern wasn't necessarily that a Jerusalem Cross makes someone a radical. The concern for the National Guard was the perception and the potential for recruitment into extremist ideologies.
Hegseth eventually left the service, citing a feeling that the military was becoming too "woke" or focused on social engineering rather than combat lethality. This sentiment is a core pillar of his book, The War on Warriors. In it, he argues that the very things that make a soldier effective—including a warrior ethos often tied to historical symbols—are being purged.
Beyond the Chest: The "We The People" Ink
If you look at other images of Pete Hegseth, you’ll notice his forearms are heavily decorated too. He has "We The People" written in the classic Constitution script. This is standard Americana. Millions of people have it.
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He also has a "Join or Die" snake from Benjamin Franklin’s famous political cartoon. He has a cross with a sword through it. Taken together, the tattoos represent a specific brand of "Christian Identity" and "Constitutional Conservatism."
It’s a visual resume.
For his supporters, the photos of Pete Hegseth no shirt show a man who wears his heart (and his politics) on his sleeve. Literally. They see a patriot. They see someone who isn't afraid of the "liberal elite" who might find Crusader imagery offensive. To his critics, it’s a collection of "dog whistles." They argue that even if the symbols are religious, the choice to display them in a military context is provocative.
The controversy actually highlights a growing divide in how we interpret history. One side sees the Crusades as a defense of Christendom. The other sees them as a period of brutal religious colonisation. Hegseth clearly falls into the former camp.
The Viral Nature of the Images
Why do these photos keep surfacing? It's simple: social media algorithms love contrast.
You have a man who was a major face on a cable news giant, Fox News. He’s being considered for one of the most powerful positions in the world. Then, you see him in a relaxed setting, maybe at a pool or a gym, and he’s covered in symbols that look like they belong in a movie about the Knights Templar.
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It’s jarring for some. It’s inspiring for others.
In the lead-up to his 2026 political reality, these images have been weaponized by both sides. Pro-Hegseth accounts share them to show he’s an "alpha" or a "warrior." Anti-Hegseth accounts share them to question his fitness for duty and his associations.
Interestingly, Hegseth has leaned into the "outsider" persona. He doesn't look like a typical Pentagon bureaucrat. Most Defense Secretaries are suits. Some are retired four-stars who keep their personal lives entirely opaque. Hegseth is a different breed. He’s a media personality who understands the power of the image.
Sorting Fact from Fiction
Let's clear some things up.
- Is the Jerusalem Cross a banned symbol? No. It is not on any official government list of banned extremist imagery.
- Did he get these tattoos in secret? No. He’s had many of them for years and has discussed them in his books and on television.
- Was he fired for them? He wasn't fired from the Guard, but he was told to stand down from a specific mission—the 2021 Inauguration—due to the concerns raised by a fellow Guard member.
The reality is that Pete Hegseth no shirt represents a shift in American politics where the personal, the religious, and the military are all bleeding into one another.
Actionable Insights and Reality Checks
If you are following this story or trying to understand the implications of these images for the Department of Defense, here is what actually matters:
- Understand the distinction between "Historical" and "Co-opted" symbols. Just because a group like the Proud Boys might use a symbol doesn't mean everyone who uses it shares their views. Context is everything.
- Watch the Policy. If Hegseth takes a leadership role in the Pentagon, expect a massive overhaul of the military's tattoo and "extremism" policies. He has already stated he wants to strip out "DEI" (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs.
- Look at the record, not just the ink. Tattoos are a distraction from the larger debate: his lack of traditional high-level administrative experience versus his boots-on-the-ground perspective. Focus on his stances on NATO, China, and military procurement if you want to know how he will actually lead.
- Verify the source. Many "no shirt" photos circulating are cropped or edited to make the tattoos look more ominous than they are in person. Always look for the original context of the photo.
The conversation around Hegseth's tattoos isn't going away. It’s a proxy war for the soul of the American military. Whether you see a crusader or a patriot, the ink is permanent—and so is the debate.