Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida, has unveiled a striking new tattoo depicting the U.S. Capitol building enveloped in clouds and light, with the words ‘We the People’ emblazoned in bold red-and-black lettering. The tattoo, captured by POLITICO, symbolizes Mills’ deep-rooted faith in Christian Judeo beliefs and his view of the nation as engaged in a spiritual battle. He explained that the design represents Archangel Michael fighting the serpent, underscoring his belief in the necessity of leaning on faith amidst current challenges.
Mills, a military veteran, has been in the news for allegations of assaulting a woman in February, though he maintained that both he and the alleged victim denied the incident, and he was never charged by police. The tattoo is part of a growing trend among lawmakers, including Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who recently added a rose insignia to her arm at the age of 100, highlighting the increasing commonality of tattoos among members of Congress.
Additionally, Mills built a significant fortune in the private security industry, selling arms and riot-control equipment, as well as providing law enforcement training and security consulting globally. His company supplied tear gas used against Black Lives Matter demonstrators and purchased a firm that had sold rubber bullets to Hong Kong for use against protesters. This background underscores the complex intersection of personal expression and political influence, as well as the broader implications of such private sector activities on public policy.
The tattoo also reflects broader cultural shifts, with more legislators embracing personal expression through body art. However, the design’s religious and nationalistic elements have sparked conversations about the role of faith in public service, as well as the line between symbolic expression and political messaging. As such, Mills’ tattoo not only marks a personal milestone but also adds another layer to the evolving identity of modern politics.