Coast Guard Reinforces Hate Symbol Ban to Curb Antisemitism, Extremism

The U.S. Coast Guard has reversed its controversial policy shift that would have downgraded the classification of swastikas, nooses, and other hate symbols from explicit prohibitions to "potentially divisive," following swift backlash from lawmakers and advocacy groups. The service reaffirmed a stricter stance Thursday night, declaring that such symbols remain "prohibited" under its updated guidelines, a move aimed at quelling concerns over rising antisemitism and extremist activity within its ranks.

The policy reversal came after a leaked draft earlier this week had proposed the softened language, sparking criticism from Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), co-chairs of the Senate's bipartisan Task Force on Combatting Antisemitism. The senators sent a letter to Coast Guard Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday demanding clarity on how the service would investigate and enforce prohibitions against hate symbols. "This updated policy rolls back important protections against bigotry and could allow for horrifically hateful symbols like swastikas and nooses to be inexplicably permitted to be displayed," Rosen stated, emphasizing the risks posed by a rise in antisemitism globally and within the U.S. according to a report.

The Coast Guard's initial proposal to reclassify hate symbols aligned with broader Pentagon directives under President Donald Trump's administration, which has prioritized revising definitions of harassment and hazing across military branches. The policy change, announced alongside a Pentagon-wide review led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, argued that previous definitions were "overly broad" and threatened "combat readiness" by fostering a "culture of victimhood." However, critics argued the shift would hinder accountability, requiring victims to report incidents within 45 days and limiting investigations to cases with "severe or pervasive" harassment.

In response to the uproar, Lunday issued a statement Thursday night asserting that "any display, use or promotion of symbols like nooses and swastikas will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished," while emphasizing no existing prohibitions had been rescinded. The Coast Guard also released a second memo reinforcing that "divisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited" at all facilities, a clarification welcomed by lawmakers but still met with skepticism. "The debate on these symbols is over," said Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), noting that lynching is a federal hate crime and that the Nazi swastika's historical association with genocide is unequivocal according to a report.

The policy turmoil follows a broader shakeup in Coast Guard leadership, including the abrupt removal of former commandant Adm. Linda Fagan on Trump's first day in office. Lunday, who replaced Fagan, has faced scrutiny over the service's handling of internal culture issues, with advocacy groups warning that ambiguous policies could embolden extremist behavior. The Coast Guard's revised stance appears to align with public pressure but leaves unanswered questions about enforcement mechanisms, as lawmakers continue to probe how commanding officers will address incidents under the new framework.