Surprising Turn: Hegseth Critics Embarrassed as Jimmy Carter's Funeral Highlights He's No 'Extremist'

On Thursday, the Washington National Cathedral hosted the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, drawing attendance from all living ex-presidents.

The ceremony showcased the cathedral's stunning Gothic stone design, its intricately crafted pews, and the overall grandeur of the historic Episcopal church.

Yet, one specific Christian symbol stood out significantly—not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its surprising connection to a current controversy involving a prominent Democrat.

Carter's flag-draped casket was placed over a large Jerusalem Cross, boldly displayed on a wooden platform.

This symbol, featuring one large cross surrounded by four smaller crosses representing the authors of the Gospels, dates back to the Crusades but carries a broader Christian legacy beyond that era.

Interestingly, this imagery ties directly to a recent critique by Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren against Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, notably, has this same symbol tattooed on his chest.

As one social media user cleverly remarked, “Elizabeth Warren will be furious when she finds out they put Jimmy Carter on Pete Hegseth’s tattoo.”

Warren recently penned a 33-page letter outlining her objections to Hegseth’s nomination. Alongside her critiques of his opposition to military wokeness and his reservations about deploying women to combat zones, she revisited past controversies surrounding his tattoos.

In addition to the Jerusalem Cross, Hegseth has the Latin phrase "Deus Vult"—meaning “God Wills It”—tattooed on his arm. This phrase is similarly linked to the Crusades and has drawn criticism.

A few years ago, a fellow Army National Guard officer filed a complaint against Hegseth, citing concerns that his tattoos signaled right-wing extremism. This incident ultimately barred him from assisting with President Joe Biden's inauguration.

“You were also removed from President Biden’s inauguration because of concerns that you were an insider threat after reports that your ‘Deus Vult’ tattoo ‘was a Christian expression associated with right-wing extremism,’” Warren wrote.

She continued, “We cannot have a Defense Secretary whose fellow servicemembers feel concerned enough about to report as a potential insider threat.”

Essentially, Warren is using this past accusation, rooted in a woke officer’s unease over Hegseth’s tattoos, to fuel her political arguments.

Yet, ironically, the very imagery Warren critiques was prominently displayed and honored at Carter’s funeral—underscoring its place in broader American and Christian traditions.

Who would have guessed that the funeral of a humble peanut farmer from Georgia would challenge the narrative against an Ivy League graduate accused of extremism?