Jun 4, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Navy to rename USNS Harvey Milk, considers dropping other liberal icons

Axios

Ship in dock — The USNS Harvey Milk departs a San Diego shipyard in 2021. Photo: Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a highly rare move that will strip the ship of the moniker of a slain gay rights activist who served as a sailor during the Korean War.

Why it matters: It marks the latest move by Hegseth and the Trump administration to purge programs, policies, books and social media mentions of references to DEI.

The Navy is also considering renaming yet-to-be completed ships honoring Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Thurgood Marshall and Harriet Tubman, CBS reports.

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Navy to rename USNS Harvey Milk, considers dropping other liberal icons

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