Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to rename a ship that previously recognized LGBT activist Harvey Milk.
According to a memorandum reviewed by Military.com, the move to rename the oiler ship USBN Harvey Milk was intentionally planned for “Pride Month.”
The memo stated that the renaming process is designed to support “alignment with president and SECDEF objectives and SECNAV priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) condemned the decision to rename the vessel, saying, “Our military is the most powerful in the world – but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the ‘warrior’ ethos.”
“It is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream,” she added.
Hegseth has previously ordered that identity month celebrations be ceased at the DOD. “From now on, DoD Components and Military Departments will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month,” the guidance said. “Service members and civilians remain permitted to attend these events in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours.”
Instead, offices and units were directed to celebrate military heroes of all backgrounds as the department works to “restore our warrior culture and ethos.”
“We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics,” Hegseth’s guidance noted.
