Coast Guard Removes References to Hate Symbols as ‘Potentially Divisive’ in Policy

By Rob Redding

Editor & Publisher

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2025, 11 a.m. — In a move that has sparked both relief and controversy, the U.S. Coast Guard has removed references calling hate symbols like swastikas and nooses “potentially divisive” from its policies. The change follows months of debate over how the service handles symbols associated with hate and extremism.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Thursday that the outdated language would be completely removed from Coast Guard records. She stated that the goal was to prevent any misrepresentation or politicization. Noem posted on social media that “the pages of superseded and outdated policy will be removed so no press outlet, entity or elected official can misrepresent the Coast Guard’s position.”

The policy revisions came after criticism that the language change might weaken the agency’s stance. Officials from DHS insisted that there was no downgrade and that the new language actually improves the ability to report and investigate violations. They emphasized that the Coast Guard maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward hate symbols and extremist ideology.

The controversy escalated last week when Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada placed a hold on the nomination of Coast Guard Admiral Kevin Lunday. Rosen said she was concerned that leadership had “backtracked” on their commitment to classify swastikas and nooses as hate symbols that are prohibited from display. She announced Thursday that she was lifting the hold and looked forward to working with Lunday on strengthening anti-harassment policies.

Rosen expressed her satisfaction that the new policy now explicitly refers to stronger language against hate symbols. She said, “While I continue to have reservations about how this happened, I am pleased to see the policy now clearly condemns symbols like swastikas and nooses.”

Homeland Security Secretary Noem called Rosen’s hold a “politicized holdup” and said Lunday should be confirmed without delay. She highlighted his long record of service, stating, “He has given nearly 39 years of distinguished service to the Coast Guard and our country.”

The initial policy update, released last month, stopped short of banning hate symbols completely. Instead, it allowed commanders to take steps to remove them from public view. It clarified that the policy did not apply to private spaces such as family housing.

Despite the recent changes, the Coast Guard insists it remains committed to a zero-tolerance stance. “Any suggestion otherwise is false,” a spokesperson said.

The controversy over hate symbols and extremist imagery continues to be a hot-button issue across the nation. The Coast Guard’s latest move underscores the ongoing debate over how best to address symbols of hate in American institutions.

Rob Redding is the author of the forthcoming book Black Power in the Age of Artificial Supremacy Featuring Redding-Shim Kwet Yung out on Jan. 5, 2026. He is the bestselling author of 17 books. He is the host of Redding News Review Unrestricted and creator of ReddingNewsReview.com. He is also an emerging visual artist who lives and teaches at two colleges in New York City.