In a move that has ignited fierce political and cultural debate, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the U.S. Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship originally christened in honor of the San Francisco gay rights icon.
The decision, confirmed by internal memos and reported by The Military Times, signals what Pentagon officials describe as a broader push to “reestablish the warrior culture” within the Department of Defense—one that prioritizes martial legacy over modern political symbolism.
The announcement, deliberately timed during Pride Month, underscores a cultural shift within military leadership under the Trump administration.
The memo directing the change referenced aligning with “the president and SECDEF objectives,” suggesting that the renaming is part of a larger recalibration of Defense Department values. Navy Secretary John Phelan has been directed to implement the change, though the ship’s new name has yet to be publicly revealed.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell did not deny the report, instead offering a broader statement of intent: “Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, our nation’s history, and the warrior ethos.” Parnell further hinted that additional name changes could follow pending internal reviews.
The USNS Harvey Milk was commissioned during the Obama administration and completed its maiden voyage in 2024, docking in San Francisco to public celebration.
Milk, a Navy veteran who resigned after being questioned about his sexual orientation, went on to become one of the first openly gay elected officials in American history—a legacy celebrated by civil rights groups and the LGBTQ community alike.
The renaming has sparked immediate condemnation from high-profile Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who decried the move as “a shameful, vindictive erasure” of progress toward equality. “This spiteful move … is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country,” she said.
Supporters of the decision argue it marks a return to traditional military values and honors service and combat history over cultural milestones. Critics see it as a political rollback that undermines decades of incremental recognition for minority service members.