The Maltese Cross, The Jerusalem Cross, and Crosses in General: Reminders of Our Faith

Certain media outlets, Democratic Party activists, and federal government employees—whether inadvertently or with an agenda—have fueled anti-Catholic bigotry and contributed to the cultural appropriation of Christian symbols, often distorting their true significance. This has been happening for decades, and that Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth would come under fire for sporting a Jerusalem Cross tattoo over his heart is unsurprising.

Historically, symbols of faith and heritage, including Catholic and other Christian symbols such as the Maltese Cross and, in the case of Mr. Hegseth, the Jerusalem Cross, have been scrutinized, mischaracterized, and even misappropriated by those seeking to distort their meaning or use them for political narratives, some for other purposes including for use in spiritual warfare or attack a religious group, such as Catholics and other Christians, to erode the public trust in Christianity.