Navy to Rename USNS Harvey Milk in Move to 'Re-Establish the Warrior Culture'

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the US Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after the late gay rights activist.

The Details: Hegseth’s decision is part of an effort to “re-establish the warrior culture” within the military, according to a Navy memo obtained by CBS News (Lean Left), and to ensure that names of military installations and assets align with President Trump's priorities and the nation's history. The renaming process is being led by Navy Secretary John Phelan, and the new name is expected to be announced this month.

For Context: Harvey Milk served in the Navy during the Korean War and was later one of the first openly gay individuals elected to public office. The ship was named in his honor in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who stated that the John Lewis class of oilers would be named after civil and human rights leaders. The names of several other ships honoring Harriet Tubman and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg are also reportedly under review. 

How The Media Covered It: The Associated Press (Left bias) emphasized wider efforts by the Trump administration to remove transgender troops from the military and eliminate diversity and inclusion references. The Associated Press also quoted former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying he “slammed” the move. The New York Post (Lean Right) also noted Newsom and Pelosi's reactions, adding, “The Biden administration changed the names of two Navy ships in 2023 as part of the effort to scrub references to the Confederacy from military installations and equipment.”

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