A 2025 U.S. Coast Guard policy declared that 'divisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited' and explicitly listed examples including a noose, a swastika, and symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups.
November 20, 2025
high
temporal
Content description of the U.S. Coast Guard's 2025 policy on prohibited symbols.
The recent U.S. Coast Guard policy memo instructs supervisors to 'inquire' into incidents involving hate symbols rather than directing supervisors to conduct formal investigations, which differs from the investigative approach reflected in the Coast Guard's 2019 and 2023 policies.
November 20, 2025
high
temporal
Compares procedural language in the Coast Guard's newer memo to earlier policy guidance regarding how commanders should handle hate-symbol incidents.
In 2019 and 2023, U.S. Coast Guard policies described displays of symbols such as swastikas and nooses as 'widely identified with oppression or hatred' and characterized their display as a 'potential hate incident'.
January 01, 2023
high
temporal
Describes the characterization of hate symbols in prior Coast Guard policy guidance.