US Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth tells Senate he supports 'killing every last member of Hamas'

Trump’s Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that he supported Israel in its war in Gaza and its goal of the total destruction of Hamas.

“I support Israel destroying and killing every last member of Hamas,” Hegseth said in response to a question from Arkansas senator Tom Cotton during Tuesday’s confirmation hearing.

Cotton also asked Hegseth, “Do you consider yourself a Christian Zionist?”

“I am a Christian,” Hegseth responded, “and I robustly support the State of Israel and its existential defense, and the way America comes alongside them as a great ally.”

During the course of the hearing, Hegseth was also asked about a tattoo of the Jerusalem Cross, a Cross.

Many Democrats have claimed the tattoo is evidence that Hegseth is a religious extremist, as the symbol is most known for its association with the Kingdom of Jerusalem, established by the Roman Catholic Church after the First Crusade.

Hegseth, a Reformed evangelical Christian, defended the tattoo against accusations of its supposed extremist associations.

“It’s a tattoo I have right here, Senator,” Hegseth said, gesturing to his chest. “It’s called the Jerusalem Cross. It’s a historic Christian symbol.”

Hegseth also noted that the symbol appeared prominently during the funeral of  Democrat U.S. president Jimmy Carter’s funeral.

“On the front page of his program was the very same Jerusalem Cross. It is a Christian religious symbol.”

As the Times of Israel notes, Hegseth has several Christian tattoos, including “part of a tattoo reading ‘Yeshua,’ Jesus’ name in Hebrew, and another reading ‘Deus Vult.’”

Deus Vult is Latin for “God wills it,” and was regularly chanted during the First Crusade.

Despite controversy surrounding his selection and multiple accusations, Hegseth is expected to be confirmed as the next U.S. Secretary of Defense due to the Senate’s Republican majority.