Controversy Surrounding Renaming of USNS Harvey Milk: Navy's Decision and Reactions
The U.S. Navy is preparing to change the name of the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after a gay rights leader and Navy veteran, following an order from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The decision has sparked criticism from civil rights advocates and lawmakers. Hegseth directed Navy Secretary John Phelan to start the renaming process to reinforce a "warrior culture" in the military. The announcement of the new name is expected on June 13 aboard the USS Constitution, the oldest active naval warship. A team within the Navy is tasked with selecting a new name for the USNS Harvey Milk, part of the John Lewis-class oilers originally named after civil rights figures. The ship, commissioned in late 2024 and currently undergoing maintenance in Alabama, was christened in 2021 to honor LGBTQ+ service members. The Pentagon stated that Hegseth's order aligns with the Commander-in-Chief's priorities and the military's emphasis on strength, unity, and traditional values. Renaming decisions will be made following internal reviews. Critics, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have condemned the move as erasing history and undermining American values. Harvey Milk, a Navy diving officer during the Korean War, was discharged in 1955 due to his sexual orientation. He later became a prominent gay rights activist and politician before his assassination in 1978. The USNS Harvey Milk was named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, with approval from Milk's family. Renaming a ship after it has been christened and entered service is uncommon in naval tradition, but exceptions have been made in the past. The USNS Harvey Milk is not the only ship facing a potential name change; other John Lewis-class oilers could also be renamed, including those honoring figures like Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Harriet Tubman, and Cesar Chavez. The Navy's removal of a web page related to the future USNS Thurgood Marshall has raised concerns about the fate of other ship names. Hegseth's directive earlier this year restricted the celebration of identity months within the military, while President Trump's executive orders aimed to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the federal government. Supporters argue that these programs address systemic discrimination, while critics believe they sow division.