WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Coast Guard has released a new, firmer policy addressing the display of hate symbols like swastikas and nooses just hours after it was publicly revealed that it made plans to describe them as \u201cpotentially divisive\u201d \u2014 a term that prompted outcry from lawmakers and advocates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDivisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited,\u201d the latest Coast Guard policy, released late Thursday, declared before adding that this category included \u201ca noose, a swastika, and any symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is not an updated policy but a new policy to combat any misinformation and double down that the U.S. Coast Guard forbids these symbols,\u201d an accompanying Coast Guard press release said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The late-night change came on the same day that media outlets, led by The Washington Post, discovered that the Coast Guard had written a policy earlier this month that called those same symbols \u201cpotentially divisive.\u201d The term was a shift from a years-long policy, first rolled out in 2019, that said symbols like swastikas and nooses were \u201cwidely identified with oppression or hatred\u201d and called their display \u201ca potential hate incident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest policy that was rolled out Thursday night also unequivocally banned the display of any divisive or hate symbols from all Coast Guard locations. The earlier version stopped short of banning the symbols, instead saying that commanders could take steps to remove them from public view and that the rule did not apply to private spaces outside of public view, such as family housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both policies maintained a long-standing prohibition on publicly displaying the Confederate flag outside of a handful of situations, such as educational or historical settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest Coast Guard policy appears to take effect immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the initial policy change became public, Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada said the change \u201crolls back important protections against bigotry and could allow for horrifically hateful symbols like swastikas and nooses to be inexplicably permitted to be displayed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt 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,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Admiral Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, said the policy did not roll back any prohibitions, calling it \u201ccategorically false\u201d to claim otherwise in a statement released earlier Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy,\u201d Lunday said in a statement, adding that \u201cany display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lunday\u2019s predecessor, Admiral Linda Fagan, was fired on President Donald Trump\u2019s first day in office. Trump officials later said she fired in part for putting an \u201cexcessive focus\u201d on diversity and inclusion efforts that diverted \u201cresources and attention from operational imperatives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The older policy that was rolled out earlier in November also explicitly said that \u201cthe terminology \u2018hate incident\u2019 is no longer present in policy\u201d and conduct that would have previously been handled as a potential hate incident will now be treated as \u201ca report of harassment in cases with an identified aggrieved individual.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commanders, in consultation with lawyers, may order or direct the removal of \u201cpotentially divisive\u201d symbols or flags if they are found to be affecting the unit\u2019s morale or discipline, according to the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The newest policy is silent on whether Coast Guard personnel will be able to claim they were victims of hate incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Security, but it is still considered a part of America\u2019s armed forces and the new policy was updated in part to be consistent with similar Pentagon directives, according to a Coast Guard message announcing the changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also has historically modeled many of its human resources policies on other military services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The policy change comes less than two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of all the hazing, bullying and harassment definitions across the military, arguing that the policies were \u201coverly broad\u201d and they were \u201cjeopardizing combat readiness, mission accomplishment, and trust in the organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Pentagon could not offer any details about what the review was specifically looking at, if it could lead to similar changes as seen in the Coast Guard policy or when the review would be complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Menachem Rosensaft, a law professor at Cornell University and a Jewish community leader, said in a statement that \u201cthe 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\u2019s burning crosses and hoods as merely \u2018potentially divisive.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the move \u201cdisgusting, and it\u2019s more encouragement from the Republicans of extremism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n