In a controversial move, the Trump administration is exploring the idea of renaming U.S. Navy ships that have been named in honor of prominent civil rights and gay rights icons. The proposed renaming effort, which aligns with Pride Month, comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushes for a shift in the military’s symbolic focus toward reinforcing a “warrior ethos.” According to a directive obtained by Military.com and CBS News, Hegseth has instructed Navy Secretary John Phelan to reconsider the naming of ships like the USNS Harvey Milk, which was named after the late gay rights activist and Navy veteran, Harvey Milk.
The directive, which signals a significant departure from previous military efforts to honor social justice icons, has raised concerns among critics who argue that it represents a deliberate attempt to erase the contributions of marginalized individuals in American history. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, a longtime advocate for LGBTQ rights, condemned the initiative, calling it a “shameful, vindictive erasure” of those who played pivotal roles in advancing civil rights in America.
The potential renaming of ships like the USNS Harvey Milk has sparked heated debates about the intersection of military tradition, LGBTQ rights, and political motivations. Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978 while serving as one of the first openly gay elected officials in California, became an enduring symbol of the fight for LGBTQ rights. The naming of the USNS Harvey Milk in 2016 was hailed as a moment of progress by LGBTQ advocates, marking an important recognition of the community’s contributions to American society and the military.
However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a staunch advocate for military reform and traditional values, appears to view the renaming initiative as part of a broader effort to restore what he perceives as a lost focus on the military’s core mission of readiness and combat effectiveness. The renaming of Navy ships, he argues, should better reflect the values of discipline, strength, and unity, which he believes are central to the “warrior ethos.”
This initiative is likely to be met with fierce resistance from those who view it as an attempt to politicize and undermine the recognition of historically marginalized groups. Critics have pointed out that the military’s efforts to recognize civil rights and LGBTQ icons are part of a broader movement toward inclusivity and equality, values that many believe should be celebrated rather than erased.
The proposal also comes at a time when the Trump administration has faced mounting criticism for its stance on LGBTQ rights, particularly with regard to the military’s treatment of LGBTQ service members. President Trump’s decision to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military, as well as his administration’s rollback of several LGBTQ rights protections, has fueled concerns that the renaming initiative is part of a larger trend of undermining progress on LGBTQ equality.
Supporters of the renaming initiative, however, argue that such symbolic gestures are distracting from the true purpose of the military. They contend that the focus should be on reinforcing the military’s combat readiness and honor, rather than on politically charged symbolic actions. Some have suggested that renaming the ships could be a way to move past what they see as divisive and controversial figures in order to create a more unified vision of the U.S. military.
In contrast, critics of the initiative warn that it could further divide the nation during a time of heightened political polarization. Nancy Pelosi, in particular, has decried the push for renaming as a politically motivated attack on the LGBTQ community. She has urged Congress and the public to resist efforts to erase the legacies of those who fought for equality, urging that the military continue to celebrate figures like Harvey Milk, whose contributions to social justice and civil rights remain relevant today.
The debate over renaming Navy ships underscores broader cultural battles over the role of military institutions in reflecting and upholding national values. For some, the renaming initiative represents an attempt to return to a more traditional military ethos, while for others, it signals a concerning erasure of the country’s progress on civil rights and LGBTQ inclusion.
The renaming effort has not yet been finalized, but the controversy surrounding the proposal reflects the deep divisions that continue to shape U.S. politics and society. As Pride Month unfolds, the ongoing debate over the future of Navy ship names is expected to remain a point of contention.
