U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols

[Zorro]

Source: Washington Post

The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and that more than 400,000 U.S. troops died fighting against in World War II, as a hate symbol, according to a new policy that takes effect next month.

Instead, the Coast Guard will classify the Nazi-era insignia as “potentially divisive” under its new guidelines. The new policy, set to take effect Dec. 15, similarly downgrades the definition of nooses and the Confederate flag, though display of the latter remains banned, according to documents reviewed by The Washington Post.

Certain historic displays or artwork where the Confederate flag is a minor element are still permissible, according to the policy.

Though the Coast Guard is not part of the Defense Department, the service has been reworking its policies to align with the Trump administration’s changing tolerances for hazing and harassment within the U.S. military. In September Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed a review and overhaul of those policies, calling the military’s existing standards “overly broad” and saying they jeopardize U.S. troops’ combat readiness.

Read more: https://wapo.st/3Mbd9a6

[RockCreek]

1. Absolutely sickening

[NotHardly]

22. Kissing Trump's ring and ass...

Never thought Coast Guard would be such cowards

[WmChris]

32. Ass ring

Right where the orange meets the brown. Although the brown might be somewhat removed from the ring in the depends.

[MayReasonRule]

49. Which, Incidentally Happens Be Both Where The Child Raping Nazi Hitman Speaks From And His Sense Of 'Taste' Resides...

[OMGWTF]

46. The Commandant of the USCG was fired for the crime of being female.

Not sure who is running it now, but most likely they are a MAGAt.

[popsdenver]

62. Not only fired for being a female

but she would have told him to shove removing it as hate based..........

[B.See]

64. And lest we forget, the ADL

deleted a decades old database on hate groups and hate symbols because of fkng KIRKERS.

But hey, 'they're not NAZIS.'

[Behind the Aegis]

74. How fascinating!

The topic is about the Coast Guard allegedly allowing for hate symbols and you feel the need to "criticize" the ADL. Hmmm.

The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and that more than 400,000 U.S. troops died fighting against in World War II, as a hate symbol, according to a new policy that takes effect next month.

Instead, the Coast Guard will classify the Nazi-era insignia as “potentially divisive” under its new guidelines. The new policy, set to take effect Dec. 15, similarly downgrades the definition of nooses and the Confederate flag, though display of the latter remains banned, according to documents reviewed by The Washington Post.

By the way...

Swastika
The swastika is an ancient symbol that emerged independently among many cultures on several continents. Before the 20th century, its use (including in the United States) was almost always benign. Even today, the swastika is a common symbol across Asia, used by Hindus, Buddhists, and adherents of other religions, where it is often associated with good fortune.

However, in the early 20th century, various right-wing adherents of the so-called “völkisch” movement in Germany, a movement in large part dedicated to uncovering a romanticized and largely mythical German/“Aryan” past, adopted the swastika as a symbol. The use of the swastika in this context subsequently influenced Adolf Hitler to adopt the swastika as the primary symbol for the Nazi Party in 1920. The murderous legacy of the Nazi regime, especially the Holocaust, permanently converted the swastika into a symbol of hate, anti-Semitism and infamy.

Since 1945, the swastika has served as the most significant and notorious of hate symbols, anti-Semitism and white supremacy for most of the world outside of Asia. Its display is prohibited in Germany and some other countries, leading some right-wing extremists to devise variants or alternatives to the swastika that would evoke a similar effect. In the United States, the swastika is overwhelmingly viewed as a hate symbol.

The swastika as adopted by the Nazis has “arms” that hook to the right; later white supremacists maintained this tradition. Though sometimes more ignorant white supremacists accidentally render swastikas “backwards,” the backwards or left-pointing swastika is typically the hallmark of someone not actually that familiar with white supremacist iconography. The swastika, along with the letters “KKK” and the numbers “666,” is one of the most common forms of “shock” graffiti in the United States, typically spray-painted by juveniles who are not actually white supremacists but simply want to use the image to shock and alarm people.

Among white supremacists, the swastika is a very common symbol, rendered in many different ways and often combined with other hate symbols. The most common swastika variant is a round or curved swastika. Since the release of “American History X,” a favorite movie of white supremacists, it has been very common for male white supremacists to get a swastika tattoo on their left breast in imitation of the main character in that movie. One trend seen most often in California among members of white power gangs is the popularity of very large outline swastika tattoos.

Confederate Flag
In 1860-61, eleven southern states seceded from the United States to protect the institution of slavery, forming the Confederate States of America and precipitating the Civil War. During the war, the Confederacy and its military forces used a variety of flags, but the flag that became most associated with the Confederacy was the so-called "battle flag." Organizations such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans adopted the flag as a symbol of Southern heritage but the flag also served as a potent symbol of slavery and white supremacy, which has caused it to be very popular among white supremacists in the 20th and 21st centuries. This popularity extends to white supremacists beyond the borders of the United States.

Noose
The hangman's noose has come to be one of the most powerful visual symbols directed against African Americans, comparable in the emotions that it evokes to that of the swastika for Jews. Its origins are connected to the history of lynching in America, particularly in the South after the Civil War, when violence or threat of violence replaced slavery as one of the main forms of social control that whites used on African Americans. The noose quickly became associated with the Ku Klux Klan.

In the early twentieth century, when the rise of the Second Ku Klux Klan coincided with the height of lynching incidents (most of the victims of which were African American), the noose became cemented as a key hate symbol targeting African Americans. The noose may appear as a drawing or rendering, but also quite common is the use of actual nooses to intimidate or harass African Americans (or sometimes other minorities) - for example, by leaving one at someone's home or at their workplace.

And just for funsies...

Totenkopf
Neo-Nazi Symbols
Totenkopf
ALTERNATE NAMES: Death's Head
"Totenkopf" is German for "death's head" or skull and typically refers to a skull-and-crossbones image. During the Nazi era, Hitler's Schutzstaffel (SS) adopted one particular Totenkopf image as a symbol. Among other uses, it became the symbol of the SS-Totenkopfverbande (one of the original three branches of the SS, along with the Algemeine SS and the Waffen SS), whose purpose was to guard the concentration camps. Many original members of this organization were later transferred into and became the core of a Waffen SS division, the 3rd SS "Totenkopf" Panzer Division, which engaged in a number of war crimes during World War II.

Following the war, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists resurrected the Totenkopf as a hate symbol because of its importance to the SS and it has been a common hate symbol since. It is this particular image of a skull and crossbones that is considered a hate symbol, not any image of a skull and crossbones.

Hate on Display™ Hate Symbols Database

Now, what was it you were "jus' sayin'" ?

[Thomas Hurt]

2. I am guessing AIPAC is cool with this too.

[Dawson Leery]

3. And the ADL.

[Kid Berwyn]

41. Bet it was Stephen Miller's idea.

No end to that guy’s hate.

[JoseBalow]

56. It's not always necessary to display hate symbols openly

Often times the hate is clearly inferred.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Disgusting.

Some don't even bother to wear masks anymore to show their contempt for Jews.

[Lovie777]

5. Hopefully the hate symbols will be restore as such..........

[Solly Mack]

6. America has chosen to go down fast.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Sadly, it has lots of help!

It is VERY distressing!

[Solly Mack]

10. Lots, I agree. Willing participants eager to yield their freedom and the freedom of others. To see the slaughter

of anyone different from them all the while pretending a better world is being built.

[Mysterian]

8. "Fine people on both sides"

Last edited Fri Nov 21, 2025, 10:28 AM - Edit history (1)

How low in the gutter will these depraved trump cultists drag the USA? Is there enough decency remaining in the American people to reject and defeat this evil overtaking our nation?

[SamuelTheThird]

9. wow

[KT2000]

11. Homeland Security

is in charge of the Coast Guard.

[twodogsbarking]

12. I see nothing, nothing.

&t=7s

[Traildogbob]

13. Why not

Just fly the fighter jet over Arlington and dump shit on all this WWII Remains then seek out their families and dump more shit on them too?
FUCK Miller Kegsbreath and Trump and the dog murder Queen. Deport them to Afghanistan, with sweat suits embroidered with ALAH is a white woman.

[MaineBlueBear]

14. Changing tolerances

Promotion of white supremacy

Tomato tomahto

[tblue37]

21. Moving the Overton window.

[muriel_volestrangler]

15. Holy fuck. I didn't think even Trump's thugs would go that far.

This is dystopian novel stuff.

[Owens]

16. Considering Hegseth has Nazi symbols tattooed on him, not surprising

[tblue37]

17. Moving the Overton window.

[Scalded Nun]

18. Such cowards in CG leadership. Once order is restored these worthless excuses for leaders need to go.

They know right from wrong...and they chose poorly.

I would not trust them to lead my dog to a fire hydrant.

[surfered]

19. So the Greatest Generation risked all defeating "potentially divisive" forces?

My parents and uncles are rolling over in their graves.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

20. WOW trump is a fascist which is why trump is against Anti-Fa

[surfered]

23. The D Day invasion, when America assaulted positions held by "potentially divisive" forces.

[bluestarone]

52. They gave there lives for a FREE AMERICA,, so what about us?

WE cannot let our country lose it's democracy. We can't.

[twodogsbarking]

24. Just the fact that they would even consider this is disturbing and then they go and do it.

[maxrandb]

25. The ONLY jeopardy to combat readiness

would be some Nazi dickweed getting his ass kicked, dragged into the head and screaming while his "shipmates" scrubbed that tattoo off with a Holy Stone.

[Ponietz]

26. Fascist flop-sweat

[Bayard]

27. WTF?!

Whose idea was that? Oh, wait....

[C_U_L8R]

28. But heaven forbid you ask them to obey the law

Off with your freakin head.

[Exp]

29. Um, just let me say, WHAT THE FUCK??!!! nt

[sarisataka]

30. So if the swastika is "potentially divisive"

is there anything that is considered a hate symbol?

[SunSeeker]

36. I'm sure Hegseth thinks the Pride Flag is a hate symbol. It's banned. nt

[COL Mustard]

38. Wait until someone

Makes a noose out of swastikas. Or a swastika out of nooses.


I probably shouldn’t give them any ideas.

[Grokenstein]

31. Hogsbreath fancies himself America's Next Fuhrer.

Treat him accordingly.

[orangecrush]

33. JHFC

[chowder66]

34. I'm shocked that they are keeping U.S. It should now be SS Guard.

[SunSeeker]

35. I wish this was the Onion.

[Borogove]

37. Are you fucking kidding me? This is unfathomable.

[Martin68]

39. WTF?

[FullySupportDems]

40. Anger

Why don't you put them on your fucking uniforms too? Show the world what you are! You damned sellouts. You're proud of it, right? Damn. Hang your heads in shame. And go the fuck home, because you aren't defending anything but your own ass. Cowards.

[NHvet]

42. I was told when I went in

"we didn't issue you a tattoo, and by god if you get one, you better not get infected because if you did, you would be brought up on charges for destruction of government property"
And if you did get a tat or two, you had to keep them covered at all times on duty.
No looking at some of those in service, they look like the old tattoo lady at the fair
Now it's ok to flat out declare ones self as a Nazi in the service and ehhh no big deal.
How far we have slipped.

[Cha]

43. GD Stupid Neo Nazi Appeasers!

Thanks a whole Shit Lot, Fucking Coast Guard.

[PSPS]

44. Makes sense since they'll probably be on the american flag before long.

Hegseth's body is festooned with "divisive" tattoos.

[hadEnuf]

45. Seriously, are there any more question as to what this administration is all about?

[LymphocyteLover]

48. it is the long-promised "Unified Reich"

Fucking Nazi fuckfaces

[LymphocyteLover]

47. WTAF!!! Fucking GOP Nazis!!! Fuck them all.

[Nittersing]

50. A tweet from US Coast Guard is denying this

Link to tweet

“The claims that the U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false. These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy. Any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished. The Coast Guard remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and professional workplace. Symbols such as swastikas, nooses and other extremist or racist imagery violate our core values and are treated with the seriousness they warrant under current policy.”

– Admiral Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

[3catwoman3]

55. I certainly hope this is accurate

[Ray Bruns]

61. In other news

Admiral Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard Was removed from command for being “too woke”.

[SaydiTom]

51. so teaching about slavery is too "divisive", but swastikas are now allowed even though "potentially divisive"

[Vinca]

53. Potentially divisive?????????????????? I should hope they're divisive. Sadly, with Hegseth in charge, they're

turning into the symbolism he wants.

[Timeflyer]

54. Sh*t. Close family member was proud Coastie. MAGA contamination like this defiles that memory.

[JoseBalow]

57. "potentially divisive"

Because sometimes it's not...

[GAtomboy]

58. Heard this in a government meeting

On workplace harassment just yesterday (fed employee)… the presenter said something about hate symbols, then I thought I heard him say “swastikas are under consideration and that may change”…. I thought surely I heard wrong. What in the ACTUAL F…..

[Aviation Pro]

59. What we need is a Hans Lada solution

Courtesy of Lt. Aldo Rey.

[Diraven]

60. They had to get rid of all displays honoring minorities

But nooses and swastikas are fine. Like WTF?

[Evolve Dammit]

63. Dad served in WWII for USCG. Three theatres. Sub-chaser, mine sweeper and destroyer escort. On his behalf: FU Heggy

[WarGamer]

65. Does WaPo have editors?

the swastika, an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and that more than 400,000 U.S. troops died fighting against in World War II

False.

Approximately 250,000 US soldiers died fighting the Nazis, not 400k...

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

66. Big Donny and the MAGAs feel white supremists are an oppressed group.

[mwb970]

67. More stuff to undo when he finally dies.

This is going to take forever!

[Hotler]

68. So, the coast guard is admitting to being a fascist organization. nt

[iemanja]

69. I'm just getting home and reading today's news. Jesus, am I shocked!

Trump has done so many awful things, and this is among the worst. Perhaps telling his followers to kill Democrats is worse, but it's hard to keep track.

[electric_blue68]

71. Just like you but about 20 - 25 mins later. ??!!!!

[electric_blue68]

70. WTF?!!! (short version, just got home)

😬😬😬

[YoshidaYui]

72. WTF WERE THEY THINKING?

Hegseth is an idiot.

[Smackdown2019]

73. This is not true

Google this up and this is what you will find...

The U.S. Coast Guard has vehemently denied a recent news report that it will no longer classify swastikas and nooses as hate symbols, stating the claim is "categorically false". Acting Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday clarified that these symbols remain prohibited under current policy and any display will be seriously addressed. 

The confusion stems from a new policy document that removes the specific term "hate incident" and places symbols "widely identified with oppression or hatred" under the broader category of "potentially divisive symbols". While the terminology in the policy manual has changed, Coast Guard leadership insists that the prohibition on such imagery and the seriousness with which it is treated has not. 

According to the new policy, the display of such items is now processed as a report of harassment, and commanders must consult legal counsel before ordering the removal of a "potentially divisive" symbol. Critics, including some members of Congress and civil rights groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center, argue this shift in language softens the service's stance on hate and could create a chilling effect on reporting, while the Coast Guard maintains its commitment to a safe and respectful workplace. 

The Coast Guard's official guidance on hazing and harassment is available on the official United States Coast Guard website (note: the linked URL in search results is for a No Fear Act notice, the actual harassment policy document may be elsewhere on the site). 

[RazorbackExpat]

75. Why reclassify them under some wishy-washy term like "potentially divisive symbols"

when they are unequivocally symbols of hate?

[Smackdown2019]

82. Review Yesterday's Policy

COAST GUARD POLICY AND LAWFUL ORDER PROHIBITING DIVISIVE OR HATE SYMBOLS AND FLAGS

[Greybnk48]

76. This story in the WAPO about the USCG is FALSE!

I even heard it discussed on MSNBC/MSNOW yesterday, so everyone was fooled!

https://time.com/7335634/coast-guard-washington-post-fake-report-hate-symbols-swastika-noose/

[dpibel]

80. Strong claim for a pretty dubious proposition

As the article you link says:

Sen. Brian Schatz (D, Hawaii) noted the apparent contradiction in DHS’s framing of the sequence of events in a post on X: “So they are not approving the policy change that was in the works because the Washington Post reported about it. Good. But that means the reporting was accurate.”

The claim of falsity is particularly dubious since it comes from (1) the Coast Guard, which seems to be engaging in a bit of ass coverage and (2) Dept of Homeland Security, which, we should remember, is run by that paragon of truth, Kristi Noem.

[GreenWave]

77. Go get 'em Zorro and remember to cross through the Z when initialing their chests.

They hate that.

[getagrip_already]

78. The Navy has had a prohibition on nooses since the 1700's...... predating the klan by a wide period

Most navies have similar prohibitions.

It was originally in place since hanging from the yard arm was a thing, and captains didn't want them lying around in case of mutiny.

It wasn't until recently when they were considered a symbol of hate.

But that is surely why the a-hats dropped the restrictions.

[fujiyamasan]

79. Openly supporting Nazis probably hurts with wealthy republican Jewish donors

As it is, they’re facing enough controversy with the Fuentes/Carlson/Heritage foundation issue.

This may have just been a test for them. They walked this back (probably temporarily), but they made it clear what they’re after.

[twodogsbarking]

81. Ironic isn't it. Now the Coast Guard is a hate symbol.