Dems are silent on candidate’s Nazi tattoo after lashing out at Hegseth’s Christian ink

Prominent Democrats who were highly critical of the now-Secretary of War Pete HegsethTattoos bearing the Crusader symbol are now silencing a progressive Senate candidate who had a Nazi symbol tattooed on his chest.

Sen. Elizabeth WarrenD-Mass., and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. criticized Hegseth for his tattoos, one of which is a Jerusalem cross and another with the Latin phrase “Deus Vult” (God willing), both related to the Crusades and ancient Christian symbolism.

Following their comments against Hegseth, Fox News Digital reached out to Warren and Duckworth for comment on the ongoing debate over the Maine Senate Democratic nominee. Graham Platner Tattooed on his chest is the “Totenkopf,” the Nazi “death’s head” symbol.

Warren has previously expressed enthusiasm for Plattner’s candidacy, saying Politico“I’m excited to see new people enter the Senate race,” adding, “especially those who have a strong voice willing to use it on behalf of marginalized people in the U.S. Senate.”

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Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, points to a covered tattoo of what was once identified as a Nazi symbol during an interview Wednesday in Portland, Me. (AP via WGME)

Fox News Digital asked if Warren and Duckworth criticize Plattner because of the tattoo and if they want him to drop out of the race. Neither immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

During Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, Warren sent him an extensive letter, in which, among other issues, she expressed concern about his “deus vult” tattoo.

“You were also removed from President Biden’s inauguration after reports that you were concerned about an insider threat. ‘Deus Vult’ tattoo ‘A Christian expression was associated with right-wing ideology,’ Warren wrote, adding, ‘We cannot have a Secretary of Defense whose fellow soldiers care enough to report a potential insider threat.’

Even as secretary, Democrats have continued to give Hegseth a hard time for tattoos. During a hearing in June, Duckworth accused Hegseth of “blowing money like my fellow cadets and I did in our first freedom after basic camp,” adding, “Fortunately, I didn’t have a suspicious tattoo.”

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US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on September 30, 2025 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Here talking to senior military leaders. (Reuters via Andrew Harnick/Pool)

Plattner, a Marine veteran and progressive, favored Sen. Bernie SandersI-Vt., has been widely criticized for his skull and crossbones tattoo on his chest, which bears a strong resemblance to the Totenkopf insignia used by Hitler’s SS troops.

As the controversy erupted, Plattner said he got the tattoo during a “drinking night” while on leave with the Marine Corps in Croatia in 2007, claiming he was unaware of its historical connections at the time. He has Since the image is covered With another tattoo of dogs.

In a video posted to Instagram Wednesday afternoon, Plattner explained that the design was picked from a flash tattoo wall while “carousing” with fellow Marines in Split, Croatia.

“We thought it looked great,” he said.

Maine Dem Senate hopeful with Bernie Sanders apologizes for Nazi-style tattoo, vows to stay in race

Senator Bernie Sanders speaks at the No Kings rally in Washington, DC on October 18. (Fox News Digital/Emma Woodhead) (Fox News Digital/Emma Woodhead)

He claimed that he had “lived a dedicated life of anti-fascism, anti-racism and anti-Nazism” and was “surprised” to learn that it amounted to a symbol of hatred.

A spokesperson for Sanders shared one Axios interview I wasn’t too impressed with the senator in which he said “‘What do you think about Graham Platner’s chest tattoo'” and the media team that said “you and I might have one or two more important issues.”

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The spokesperson also shared another statement from Sanders in which he said of Platner “I personally think he is an excellent candidate. I will be supporting him and I look forward to being the next senator from the state of Maine.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Sanders and Plattner’s campaigns for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Jasmine Behr of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.