Perry: On Pete Hegseth, and the right’s dangerous obsession with the Crusades

AI Briefing

• – Pete Hegseth's past portrayed him as a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and a fierce advocate for conservative Christian values, which some have linked to his defenders of the Crusades and perceived attacks on Islam.
• – Hegseth's defense of the Crusades and his criticism of critics who call them 'hate speech' has drawn comparisons to the rhetoric used by some far-right groups.
• – Conservative media outlets have praised Hegseth for his unwavering support for the Christian right, raising concerns about the normalization of Islamophobia and the dangers of a 'Christian nationalist' agenda.