HOT TAKES: AP Tries a 'Breathtaking,' Anti-Catholic Attack on Pete Hegseth, and People Aren't Having It

Over the past 24 hours, the people who know Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth the best have thronged to his side in his defense after a Biden administration hack said on MSNBC that Hegseth is "a known white supremacist."

At the time, it appeared that the radical leftist was upset that he doesn't subscribe to woke policies in the military (and perhaps, anywhere funded by the government). Regardless of the reason, as I wrote, it was so inflammatory that a former White House aide who worked for First Lady Jill Biden felt the need to speak against such a disgusting tactic.

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Read More: Former Biden WH Aide Issues Dire Warning to Democrats, Media Over New Slurs Aimed at Pete Hegseth

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A friend of Hegseth's, Jack Brewer, responded to the slur in an X post, writing:

This is absolutely disgusting and vile. I’ve known @PeteHegseth for many years and I consider him a friend. He has gone above and beyond to support and advance our work to uplift voiceless black people in America and abroad!!

But the machine that keeps the Democrats' narratives running wasn't finished spreading its dirty work.The latest claim, allegedly proving the future Defense chief is an inveterate white supremacist, comes via the Associated Press, which breathlessly shared some fake news about a tattoo on his arm: 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, the Army National Guard veteran and Fox News host nominated by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Defense, was flagged as a possible “Insider Threat” by a fellow service member due to a tattoo on his bicep that’s associated with white supremacist groups.

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This week, however, a fellow Guard member who was the unit’s security manager and on an anti-terrorism team at the time, shared with The Associated Press an email he sent to the unit’s leadership flagging a different tattoo reading “Deus Vult” that’s been used by white supremacists, concerned it was an indication of an “Insider Threat.”

There's just one problem. This was easily and immediately debunked. Our Townhall colleague, Larry O'Connor, shared a photo of this alleged Nazi iconography... on a Catholic priest:

And here's another one:

Independent journalist Salena Zito tore into the AP's bizarre, anti-Catholic attack too, calling it "breathtaking":

The Jerusalem cross is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world and one  just a few examples of the different types of crosses created throughout the history of my faith. All my grandchildren wear one. 

The anti-Catholicism in the news world is breathtaking.

Vice President-elect JD Vance also wasn't having it:

He wrote:

They're attacking Pete Hegseth for having a Christian motto tattooed on his arm. This is disgusting anti-Christian bigotry from the AP, and the entire organization should be ashamed of itself.

They should be ashamed, absolutely, but like the Charlotteville smear against President Trump, the left uses whatever tool it can--however dishonest--to work its will. This is just a part of who they are. Don't expect a retraction or any semblance of an apology from the AP anytime soon.

I'll give Pete Hegseth the last word because it points to a hopeful change in the new administration on how Americans' religious and other liberties are safeguarded and respected:

He wrote:

Amen  @JDVance. Anti-Christian bigotry in the media on full display.  They can target me — I don’t give a damn — but this type of targeting of Christians, conservatives, patriots and everyday Americans will stop on DAY ONE at DJT’s DoD.

Amen to that.