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Written by Samuel Peterson.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the U.S. Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, an oiler ship honoring the late gay rights activist and Navy veteran, in a decision timed to coincide with the start of Pride Month in June 2025. The move, part of a broader effort to align military assets with a redefined “warrior ethos,” has sparked controversy, with critics decrying it as an attack on diversity and inclusion. This article explores the rationale behind the renaming, its political and cultural implications, and the broader context of the Trump administration’s military policy shifts.
Details of the Renaming Directive
The decision to strip the USNS Harvey Milk of its name stems from a memorandum issued by the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, as reported by Military.com. The directive, confirmed by a defense official, was ordered by Hegseth and executed by Navy Secretary John Phelan. The announcement is scheduled for June 13, 2025, aboard the USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned vessel. While the new name for the ship has not been disclosed, the move is framed as aligning with President Trump’s priorities and Hegseth’s focus on reestablishing a “warrior culture” within the armed forces.
The USNS Harvey Milk, a John Lewis-class oiler, was christened in November 2021 to honor prominent civil rights leaders. Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, served as a San Francisco Supervisor until his assassination in 1978. A former Navy lieutenant, Milk was forced to resign in 1955 due to his sexuality, receiving an other-than-honorable discharge. His posthumous recognition, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, underscored his contributions to equality and justice.
The renaming is part of a broader review of Department of Defense (DoD) assets, as articulated by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. He stated that Hegseth aims to ensure all military installations and assets reflect the administration’s emphasis on national history and combat readiness. The decision has drawn sharp criticism, notably from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called it a “vindictive erasure” of Milk’s legacy and a betrayal of American values.
Context of Hegseth’s Military Reforms
Since assuming the role of Defense Secretary, Hegseth has pursued an aggressive agenda to eliminate programs and materials related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the military. He argues that such initiatives distract from the core mission of fostering a “warrior ethos” focused on combat effectiveness. This effort has included removing DEI content from DoD websites and social media, temporarily affecting pages dedicated to figures like Jackie Robinson, Colin Powell, and the Navajo Code Talkers.
The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk extends this campaign to military assets. The Navy’s memorandum explicitly cites alignment with Trump’s objectives and Hegseth’s priorities as the rationale for the change. This move follows a pattern of reversing symbolic gestures from previous administrations, such as the 2016 naming ceremony for the USNS Harvey Milk, where then-Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro emphasized rectifying past injustices against LGBTQ service members.
Ship renamings are rare in the Navy, with the most recent precedent occurring in 2023, when the USS Chancellorsville was renamed USS Robert Smalls and the USNS Maury became USNS Marie Tharp to remove Confederate associations. Unlike those changes, prompted by a congressional commission, the current renaming reflects an executive-driven ideological shift, raising questions about the criteria for selecting names and the process for implementing such decisions.
The timing of the announcement, set during Pride Month, amplifies its symbolic weight. Pride Month, observed annually in June, celebrates LGBTQ contributions and resilience. Critics argue that the decision to rename the ship at this juncture is a deliberate affront to the community Milk represented, undermining the military’s progress toward inclusivity.
Broader Implications and Public Reaction
The decision to rename the USNS Harvey Milk has ignited a firestorm of debate, reflecting broader tensions over the military’s role in addressing social issues. Supporters of Hegseth’s directive, including conservative activists, argue that military assets should prioritize names associated with martial valor or national unity, rather than social activism. They view the renaming as a necessary correction to what they perceive as politicized decisions under prior administrations.
Opponents, including Democratic lawmakers and LGBTQ advocacy groups, contend that the move erases a powerful symbol of inclusion. Milk’s naval service during the Korean War and his subsequent advocacy for equality resonate with many service members, particularly those who faced discrimination due to their identity. The 2011 repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and subsequent policies allowing openly LGBTQ individuals to serve marked significant milestones, and the USNS Harvey Milk was seen as a tribute to that progress.
The broader context of Hegseth’s reforms adds complexity to the debate. The DoD employs over 3 million personnel, including active-duty members, reservists, and civilians, and its policies shape the experiences of diverse communities. In 2024, approximately 8% of active-duty service members identified as LGBTQ, according to DoD surveys, highlighting the relevance of inclusive policies. Removing DEI programs and symbols like the USNS Harvey Milk could impact morale and recruitment among these groups.
Public broadcasting and social media platforms have amplified the controversy, with hashtags related to the renaming trending in early June 2025. Community organizations have planned vigils and protests during Pride Month to honor Milk’s legacy and oppose the decision. Meanwhile, the Navy faces pressure to clarify its naming criteria, as the lack of transparency about the new ship name fuels speculation and distrust.
Our Take
The decision to rename the USNS Harvey Milk represents a provocative shift in the Trump administration’s military policy, prioritizing a narrowly defined “warrior ethos” over symbols of inclusivity. While Hegseth’s intent to focus on combat readiness is understandable, erasing Harvey Milk’s name from a naval vessel dishonors a veteran and civil rights pioneer whose legacy resonates with millions. The timing of the announcement, during Pride Month, exacerbates its divisive impact, alienating service members and civilians who value the military’s strides toward equality.
In my view, the Navy should adopt a transparent and inclusive process for ship naming, involving input from service members and the public. Honoring figures like Milk does not detract from military strength but rather reflects the diverse contributions that sustain it. Hegseth’s broader campaign against DEI risks undermining morale and cohesion, particularly among younger recruits who prioritize social justice. A balanced approach, preserving symbols of progress while emphasizing readiness, would better serve the military and the nation it protects.
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