Coast Guard Refutes Claims of Changing Classification of Hate Symbols

The U.S. Coast Guard has firmly rejected reports that it plans to reclassify known hate symbols such as swastikas and nooses as merely “potentially divisive” symbols. The denial came in response to a Washington Post article published Thursday that scrutinized the military branch’s newly approved “Harassing Behavior Prevention, Response, and Accountability” manual.

“The claims that the U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false,” declared Admiral Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, in a statement shared on social media platform X. “These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy. Any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished.”

The controversy stems from the Coast Guard’s updated harassment manual, which lists six major policy changes. The Washington Post article centered on the fourth listed change, which states that “the terminology ‘hate incident’ is no longer present in policy.” The report also noted the removal of the term “hate symbol” from policies, although this specific change wasn’t explicitly identified among the major modifications.

According to the Post’s interpretation of the document, symbols typically recognized as hateful – including nooses, swastikas, and “any symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups” – would now be categorized as “potentially divisive symbols and flags” rather than outright hate symbols.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Coast Guard and published the new policy document on its website, entered the fray by accusing the Washington Post of “making things up” in a social media post.

These policy revisions come in a broader context of military reforms. In late September, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with America’s top military leadership and promised comprehensive changes to policies he claimed were creating “division” within the armed forces. “More leadership changes will be made. Of that, I’m certain,” Hegseth stated at the time.

Though the Coast Guard operates under DHS rather than the Department of War during peacetime, observers have noted that it appears to be aligning some of its policies with Hegseth’s directives.

The Coast Guard’s denial failed to satisfy many critics. The Jewish Democratic Council of America issued a strong rebuke in a statement to Haaretz: “Welcome to Donald Trump’s America, where swastikas are no longer considered hate symbols. This is unacceptable. Jewish Americans are less safe when antisemitic hate is normalized by our government.”

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey also condemned what he perceived as a policy shift, calling it “disgusting” and an attempt to “normalize hate.” The Democratic senator bluntly stated, “Swastikas, nooses, Confederate flags are symbols of hate.”

The Coast Guard maintains that its stance against hate symbols remains unwavering. “The Coast Guard remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and professional workplace. Symbols such as swastikas, nooses and other extremist or racist imagery violate our core values and are treated with the seriousness they warrant under current policy,” Admiral Lunday emphasized.

According to the policy document, the new guidelines are scheduled to take effect on December 15. As the implementation date approaches, the debate over how the military classifies and responds to hate symbols will likely continue to draw scrutiny from lawmakers, advocacy groups, and the public.