Coast Guard officials announced that the service will delete the language that reclassifies swastikas and nooses as “potentially divisive” symbols, a change that has drawn strong reactions from lawmakers.
The Policy Shift
The Coast Guard’s new workplace harassment policy, which had quietly taken effect on Monday, downgraded swastikas and nooses from hate symbols to a less severe category. This redefinition means the service may no longer be required to remove signage depicting those symbols, even if a member reports them. Instead, a supervisor would review the context in which the symbols were used.
Congressional Outrage
Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) placed a hold on Admiral Kevin Lunday’s nomination to lead the Coast Guard after the policy’s wording was changed. The holds were a direct response to the service’s failure to label the symbols as hate symbols, an action that lawmakers had expected.
Admiral Lunday’s Response
In a memo sent to all Coast Guard personnel, Lunday condemned both swastikas and nooses and declared them forbidden in the workplace. He stressed that the memo superseded all prior guidance on the issue, although the order was not incorporated into the policy manual.
Trump Administration’s Reaction
The Trump administration called the Washington Post’s November report “a demonstrably false story” and criticized the Post for misrepresenting the Coast Guard’s policy. Despite this, the administration had allowed the new workplace policy to advance earlier in the week.
Noem’s Announcement
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took to social media on Thursday to announce the removal of the outdated policy language. She said, “The pages of superseded and outdated policy will be completely removed from the record,” though she did not specify new wording.
Noem on the Politicized Holdup
Noem also addressed the hold on Lunday’s nomination, stating that the “politicized holdup” of the admiral’s confirmation needs to end. She emphasized Lunday’s nearly 39 years of distinguished service.
Noem Praises Lunday
“He should be confirmed without delay,” Noem added, underscoring her support for Lunday’s leadership of the Coast Guard.
Rosen Lifts Hold
In a statement to X, Rosen said she was pleased to see that the policy now directly refers to stronger language against swastikas and nooses. She indicated that she would lift her hold on Lunday’s confirmation.
Rosen’s Critique of the Policy
Rosen noted that, “There was absolutely no valid reason to change the longstanding policy that very explicitly banned swastikas and nooses and labeled them as hate symbols.” She also expressed concerns about the policy’s implementation.
New Hold on CISA Nominee
Because of worries about the policy’s effect, Rosen announced she would keep a hold on Sean Plankey’s nomination to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Plankey currently oversees the Coast Guard in his role at DHS.
Duckworth’s Frustration
“I cannot understand why the Admiral will not simply update his own Commandant Instruction to delete the absurd characterization that clearly states a noose and swastika are merely potentially divisive symbols. This shouldn’t be difficult,” Duckworth said in a statement to The Hill.
Senate Confirmation Schedule
The Senate was set to vote on Lunday’s confirmation this week, a process that had been delayed by the holds and policy dispute.
Policy Impact
The change in terminology may affect how the Coast Guard enforces workplace safety and harassment rules. By downgrading the symbols, the service could potentially allow their display under certain circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- The Coast Guard will remove the language that reclassifies swastikas and nooses as potentially divisive.
- Senators placed holds on Admiral Lunday’s nomination over the policy change.
- Noem announced the removal and urged the Senate to confirm Lunday.
The policy shift underscores the ongoing debate over how hate symbols are addressed within federal agencies and highlights the political stakes surrounding the Coast Guard’s leadership.
