"This is not just a personal choice; it's a clear symbol of Islamophobia from the man who oversees America's wars." She elaborated that the term is frequently used by the far right to disparage Muslims.

Photos show that Hegseth has the word "kafir" tattooed in Arabic below his right bicep. The phrase is used in the Quran to refer to someone who has "disbelief" or "a rejection of true belief," according to Islamic Scholar Abdullah Al Andalusi.

Pete Hegseth's new "kafir" tattoo sits just below another inked phrase across his bicep. In Arabic, the term historically refers to someone who does not believe in Islam.