The United States Coast Guard has reversed course and issued a sweeping new directive that classifies swastikas and nooses as hate symbols, a significant shift from a previous policy that had drawn public ire for describing these emblems as merely "potentially divisive." The updated policy, announced on November 21, 2025, comes after intense scrutiny from lawmakers, civil rights advocates, and the media, and is being hailed by many as a necessary step to address the legacy and ongoing threat of hate-fueled extremism within the military ranks.
The controversy began when The Washington Post revealed that the Coast Guard was preparing to implement a new classification for swastikas and nooses, downgrading their status from "potential hate incidents"—the designation used since 2023—to "potentially divisive" symbols. This change, set to take effect in December 2025, was met with immediate backlash. Critics argued that the language minimized the historical and present-day harm these symbols represent, especially given their deep association with racism, anti-Semitism, and violence.
Responding to the uproar, the Coast Guard moved quickly to issue a new memo, expressly prohibiting the display of swastikas, nooses, or "any symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups as representations of supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, anti-Semitism, or any other improper bias." According to CNN, the memo states unequivocally: "Divisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited." The directive clarifies that any such imagery is not only unwelcome but also subject to investigation and disciplinary action.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under which the Coast Guard operates, initially denied that there had been a policy shift. Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, insisted in a statement shared on social media that the Coast Guard was not "backtracking" but rather "doubles down on our current policies prohibiting the display, distribution or use of hate symbols by Coast Guard personnel." She emphasized, "The 2025 policy is not changing—USCG issued a lawful order that doubles down on our current policies prohibiting the display, distribution or use of hate symbols by Coast Guard personnel."
For many, the symbolism of nooses and swastikas is not up for debate. Nooses are inextricably linked to the legacy of racial terror in the United States, representing the lynching of thousands of Black individuals from the end of the Civil War through the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. Swastikas, meanwhile, are synonymous with Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime, under which millions were murdered in the Holocaust. The impact of these symbols is not abstract for the Coast Guard either: during World War II, approximately 1,900 Coast Guard personnel lost their lives fighting against the Nazi regime, according to The Washington Post.
Representative Lauren Underwood, a Democrat from Illinois, played a key role in pressing for the Coast Guard to strengthen its stance. After meeting with Acting Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday, Underwood reported that she received a commitment to a robust, across-the-board prohibition on hate symbols. In a video statement, Underwood remarked, "He came by the office and assured us that there is an across-the-board prohibition on hate symbols, including swastikas and nooses."
Admiral Lunday himself issued a clear message to Coast Guard members, stating, "Any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished." He emphasized that these symbols "violate our core values and are treated with the seriousness they warrant under current policy." This stance marks a decisive break from the earlier, more ambiguous language and signals a renewed commitment to rooting out hate-based extremism from the service.
The military as a whole has struggled for years with the challenge of extremism in its ranks. A 2020 Pentagon report found that while extremist views were not widespread among service members, the risk posed by individuals with military training and experience was significant, particularly because of their potential to carry out "high-impact events." This risk has prompted ongoing debate about how best to address and prevent the spread of hate-driven ideologies among those entrusted with national defense.
During President Joe Biden's administration, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered a staggered pause in military operations in 2021, so commanders could lead discussions with troops about extremism and the importance of upholding shared values. The move reflected a broader push to foster inclusivity and vigilance against hate within the armed forces. Yet, not everyone in Washington agrees on the scope of the problem or the best solutions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during his January 2025 confirmation hearing, dismissed concerns about extremism, arguing that the military's focus on the issue had "created a climate inside our ranks that feel political when it hasn't ever been political."
This divide reflects broader tensions in American society about how to confront hate and extremism. Some argue that the military should focus solely on its core mission and avoid wading into politically charged territory, while others insist that upholding the values of equality and respect is inseparable from national security. The Coast Guard's new policy arrives at a moment when these debates are especially fraught, amid rising concerns about hate crimes and the resurgence of extremist groups across the country.
For Coast Guard personnel, the message is now clear: there is zero tolerance for symbols of hate, and violations will be met with swift and serious consequences. The updated directive not only prohibits the display of swastikas, nooses, and other hate group insignia, but also underscores the service's commitment to its core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. The Coast Guard's move is being watched closely by other branches of the military and by advocates who have long called for more decisive action against extremism in the ranks.
As the military continues to grapple with the complex challenge of extremism, the Coast Guard's reversal serves as a reminder that symbols matter—and that the fight against hate is ongoing, both within and beyond the armed forces.
