Coast Guard Redefines Hate Symbols as 'Potentially Divisive'

The United States Coast Guard is revising its approach to handling hate symbols, including swastikas and nooses, within its ranks. Effective December 15, 2025, these symbols will be designated as “potentially divisive” instead of being labeled directly as hate incidents. This change aims to enhance the ability of the Coast Guard to report, investigate, and penalize related conduct.

Admiral Kevin Lunday, the acting commandant of the Coast Guard, reiterated that showcasing or endorsing these symbols is strictly prohibited. “Any manifestation, utilization, or promotion of such symbols will be rigorously examined and met with serious consequences,” he stated. The regulation chiefly pertains to work and public areas, excluding private spaces like family quarters.

In 2020, the Coast Guard referred to these emblems as “potential hate incidents,” noting their associations with oppression and discrimination. Although the terminology has changed, the updated policy still acknowledges that such symbols negatively impact morale, discipline, team spirit, and operational effectiveness.

The policy further continues to disallow the public exhibition of the Confederate flag, aside from designated educational or historical contexts. Commanders are empowered to mandate the removal of “potentially divisive” symbols that disrupt their unit's functions.

This update has met with criticism from various political figures. Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada has expressed fears that it might undermine hate protections, permitting harmful symbols to surface in specific contexts. Jewish leaders are concerned that categorizing swastikas and nooses as merely “potentially divisive” trivializes their gravity. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer denounced the policy as “disgusting” and a potential catalyst for extremism.

The policy change coincides with a larger Pentagon reassessment of military terms concerning bullying, harassment, and hazing, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth questioning if current definitions are excessively broad, affecting combat readiness and mission priorities.

Despite the backlash, Admiral Lunday affirmed that there has been no removal of prohibitions against hate symbols. This update seeks to align Coast Guard policies with wider military guidelines while enhancing the reporting, investigation, and resolution of incidents.

The Coast Guard, operating under the Department of Homeland Security and as a branch of the U.S. military, asserts that this updated policy will bolster discipline and ensure a secure working atmosphere for all personnel.