Coast Guard issues new order reaffirming ban on hate symbols after backlash
After backlash to a November directive that reclassified swastikas, nooses and Confederate imagery as “potentially divisive,” removed the “hate incident” label and raised the disciplinary threshold (including allowing some private displays), the Coast Guard issued a new order explicitly reaffirming that “divisive or hate symbols and flags” — including nooses, swastikas and symbols adopted by hate groups — are prohibited across its locations. Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said the ban remains in force and violations will be investigated and punished, with limited educational/historical exceptions for the Confederate flag preserved.
Military Personnel Policy
Military Policy and Conduct
U.S. Coast Guard
Military Policy and Extremism
Extremism and Harassment Standards
📌 Key Facts
- The Coast Guard issued a new order late Thursday to combat misinformation and explicitly reaffirmed that “divisive or hate symbols and flags” remain prohibited across Coast Guard locations, explicitly citing nooses, swastikas and symbols adopted by hate groups.
- The new policy language states “Divisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited” and preserves limited educational/historical exceptions (for example, for the Confederate flag).
- An earlier Nov. 13 draft directive (signed by Rear Adm. Charles Fosse) had reclassified swastikas, nooses and Confederate symbols as “potentially divisive symbols and flags,” removed the term “hate incident,” allowed private/non‑public displays (including in family housing), and required a specific victim for harassment — prompting public backlash.
- Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said claims of a rollback are “categorically false,” called the new communication a “double down” on the ban, and vowed that violations will be thoroughly investigated and “severely punished.”
- The guidance explicitly bans public display of the Confederate battle flag at Coast Guard workplaces, common areas and operating facilities, and authorizes commanding officers to order removal of other “potentially divisive” symbols if they harm morale or mission readiness.
- Proposed harassment‑policy changes reported in the draft included removing “gender identity” from protected characteristics (aligning with the administration’s transgender service ban), raising the disciplinary threshold so harassment must harm good order/discipline or mission effectiveness, applying a “reasonable person” standard for severity, and adding a 45‑day victim reporting window — measures critics say could deter reporting.
- The Coast Guard said the harassment‑policy updates align with directives from President Trump and the Pentagon and framed the new order as a policy clarification rather than a reversal.
- Lawmakers reacted strongly: Sen. Jacky Rosen, Rep. Rick Larsen and others condemned the initial reclassification as a rollback amid rising antisemitism, while Rep. Lauren Underwood said Adm. Lunday assured an across‑the‑board prohibition on hate symbols.
- Reporting noted leadership context: President Trump removed Adm. Linda Fagan as commandant a day after taking office, a development cited amid coverage of the policy changes.
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📰 Sources (5)
Coast Guard scrambles to clarify its guidance on nooses, swastikas, hate symbols
New information:
- Identifies the original Nov. 13 directive signed by Rear Adm. Charles Fosse and its title ('Harassing Behavior Prevention, Response and Accountability').
- Details proposed policy shifts: reclassifying swastikas, nooses, and Confederate symbols from 'incidents of hatred and prejudice' to 'potentially divisive'; eliminating 'hate incident' category; and requiring a specific victim for harassment.
- States the guidance raised the disciplinary threshold to cases harming 'good order and discipline, unit cohesion, command climate, morale or mission effectiveness' and allowed private/non‑public display of such symbols, including in military housing.
- Reports the policy removed 'gender identity' from protected characteristics, aligned with the administration’s transgender service ban, required harassment to be 'severe or pervasive' judged by a 'reasonable person,' and described some hazing as potentially serving a 'proper military or other governmental purpose.'
- Adds a 45‑day victim reporting window that critics say could deter reporting.
- Includes on‑the‑record reactions: Rep. Lauren Underwood says Adm. Lunday assured an across‑the‑board prohibition; Rep. Rick Larsen condemned downgrading hate symbols.
- Notes leadership turmoil context: President Trump removed Adm. Linda Fagan as commandant a day after taking office.
The Coast Guard planned to change how it described swastikas and nooses. Then came the outcry and an updated policy
New information:
- AP provides the exact new policy language: “Divisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited,” explicitly listing a noose, a swastika, and symbols adopted by hate groups.
- The article contrasts the earlier November draft that labeled such imagery “potentially divisive” and allowed it in private, non-public spaces (e.g., family housing) with the new policy’s blanket ban across all Coast Guard locations.
- Includes on-record reaction from Sen. Jacky Rosen criticizing the initial shift as rolling back protections amid rising antisemitism.
- Notes the Coast Guard’s press release framing this as a “new policy” to combat misinformation, not merely an update.
- Clarifies that both the earlier and new policies preserve limited educational/historical exceptions for displaying the Confederate flag.
- Quotes Adm. Kevin Lunday saying claims of a rollback are “categorically false” and that displays will be investigated and “severely punished.”
Coast Guard defends dropping hate label for swastikas, nooses, Confederate flags
New information:
- The Coast Guard removed the term 'hate incident' from policy and will process such matters as harassment reports when there is an identified aggrieved individual.
- Symbols previously flagged as 'potential hate incidents' are now labeled 'potentially divisive symbols and flags,' while remaining prohibited as 'extremist imagery.'
- Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday stated it is 'categorically false' that swastikas, nooses, or other extremist imagery are no longer prohibited and pledged strict enforcement.
- Guidance explicitly bans public display of the Confederate battle flag at Coast Guard workplaces, common areas, and operating facilities.
- Commanding officers are authorized to order removal of other 'potentially divisive' symbols if they harm morale or mission readiness.
- The Coast Guard says the harassment-policy updates align with directives from President Trump and the Pentagon.
Swastikas, nooses and Confederate flags designated Coast Guard ‘hate symbols’ after uproar
New information:
- USCG issued a new order late Thursday to “combat misinformation,” explicitly reaffirming that “divisive or hate symbols and flags” (including nooses and swastikas and symbols co‑opted by hate groups) remain prohibited.
- Coast Guard said this is a new policy communication to “double down” on the existing ban, not a policy reversal.
- Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday told Fox News Digital the symbols have been and remain prohibited and violations will be “thoroughly investigated and severely punished.”
- Article notes the earlier November guidance reclassified such displays as “potentially divisive symbols and flags” and removed the term “hate incident,” prompting backlash.