US Coast Guard Revises Classification of Hate Symbols While Maintaining Prohibitions

The US Coast Guard is preparing to implement revised language and policies regarding hate symbols such as swastikas and nooses, alongside changes to how personnel report hate incidents.

Washington:

The Coast Guard has emphasized that while terminology is changing, these symbols will continue to be prohibited. The updated policy, scheduled to take effect December 15, is designed to enhance the service's capability to report, investigate, and take action against violators.

"Any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished," stated Admiral Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard.

In 2020, former Commandant Karl Schultz described symbols like swastikas and nooses as "widely identified with oppression or hatred" and labeled their display as "a potential hate incident." The updated policy now refers to these same symbols as "potentially divisive," noting they negatively impact morale, discipline, unit cohesion, and mission effectiveness.

The revised policy maintains the long-standing prohibition on publicly displaying Confederate flags except in specific circumstances such as educational or historical settings. However, it specifies that the policy does not extend to private spaces outside public view, including family housing.

This policy update, first reported by The Washington Post, has generated criticism. Senator Jacky Rosen, Democrat of Nevada, expressed concern that "this updated policy rolls back important protections against bigotry and could allow for horrifically hateful symbols like swastikas and nooses to be inexplicably permitted to be displayed."

"At a time when antisemitism is rising in the United States and around the world, relaxing policies aimed at fighting hate crimes not only sends the wrong message to the men and women of our Coast Guard, but it puts their safety at risk," she added.

Admiral Lunday firmly denied that the policy weakens any prohibitions, stating it is "categorically false" to suggest otherwise. "These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy," Lunday emphasized, reiterating that any display or promotion of such symbols will continue to be thoroughly investigated and severely punished.

Lunday's predecessor, Admiral Linda Fagan, was removed from her position on President Donald Trump's first day in office. Trump officials later explained she was dismissed partly for placing "excessive focus" on diversity and inclusion efforts that allegedly diverted "resources and attention from operational imperatives."

The new policy explicitly states that "the terminology 'hate incident' is no longer present in policy" and conduct previously categorized as a potential hate incident will now be treated as "a report of harassment in cases with an identified aggrieved individual."

According to the policy, commanders, in consultation with legal advisors, may order the removal of "potentially divisive" symbols or flags if they are determined to be negatively affecting unit morale or discipline.

While the Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security, it remains part of America's armed forces. The policy update was implemented partly to align with similar Pentagon directives, as noted in a Coast Guard message announcing the changes.

The Coast Guard has historically modeled many of its human resources policies after other military branches.

This policy shift comes less than two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of all hazing, bullying, and harassment definitions across the military, arguing that existing policies were "overly broad" and were "jeopardizing combat readiness, mission accomplishment, and trust in the organization."

The Pentagon has not provided details about the specific focus of the review, whether it might lead to changes similar to those in the Coast Guard policy, or when the review would be completed.

Menachem Rosensaft, a law professor at Cornell University and Jewish community leader, stated that "the swastika is the ultimate symbol of virulent hate and bigotry, and even a consideration by the Coast Guard to no longer classify it as such would be equivalent to dismissing the Ku Klux Klan's burning crosses and hoods as merely 'potentially divisive.'"

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described the move as "disgusting, and it's more encouragement from the Republicans of extremism."