Introduction
In a controversial move timed during Pride Month, the US Navy has confirmed plans to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a vessel honoring the first openly gay man elected to public office in California and a Navy veteran. This is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal departments, including the military.
Why the USNS Harvey Milk Is Being Renamed
According to internal documents obtained by CBS News, the Navy’s decision to rename the ship aligns with the Trump administration’s focus on restoring what Pentagon officials describe as a “warrior culture” in the armed forces. A memo calls on Navy Secretary John Phelan to choose a new name for the ship, subject to legal review US Navy.
The USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet oiler named after a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ icon, is one of several ships now under review. Others include the USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the USNS Harriet Tubman, both named after women who symbolize justice, liberation, and civil rights.
The DEI Directive Behind the Renaming
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year issued a directive that bans military resources from being used on events tied to heritage or awareness months, including Pride Month, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month. The rationale, according to the administration, is that such events “undermine unity in the military.”
This decision is part of a sweeping policy change under President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive orders, which include a federal DEI ban and a return to recognizing only two biological sexes.
Backlash from Political Leaders and Advocacy Groups
News of the ship renaming has drawn condemnation from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called the move a “vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took to X, writing, “Hegseth should be ashamed of himself and reverse this immediately.” LGBTQ+ veterans groups have also condemned the action, noting that Harvey Milk himself served in the Navy and was posthumously honored to represent the progress of inclusion within the military ranks.
Who Was Harvey Milk?
Harvey Milk served in the U.S. Navy as a diving officer before becoming the first openly gay man elected to public office in California in 1977. He represented a wave of progressive activism but was tragically assassinated just 10 months into his term.
His legacy was officially recognized in 2016 when the Obama administration announced a Navy ship would bear his name. The USNS Harvey Milk was launched in 2021 and symbolizes LGBTQ+ representation within the armed forces.
What Happens Next?
According to the Navy timeline, a new name for the USNS Harvey Milk will be chosen and publicly announced after legal reviews. The Trump administration has not indicated whether similar renamings will occur across all branches of the military, but several heritage-linked programs have already been scaled back.
Critics warn this could lead to further erasure of civil rights milestones in the military and government institutions. Meanwhile, supporters argue the move is necessary to return to what they call a “merit-based, combat-ready force.”
Conclusion
The decision to rename the USNS Harvey Milk and remove other DEI-linked ship names is part of a broader cultural shift under the Trump 2025 agenda. As the military walks back decades of symbolic inclusion, public backlash is mounting — especially as the decision coincides with Pride Month, a time meant to celebrate progress in LGBTQ+ rights.
