Trump administration orders renaming of USNS Harvey Milk

• The U.S. Navy has been directed to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship honoring the slain gay rights activist and Navy veteran, as part of a broader initiative by President Donald Trump to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) references within the military.
• Harvey Milk was named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and christened in 2021 by a transgender veteran. The ship was named to honor Milk’s legacy as the first openly gay elected official in California and his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, despite his service in the 1950s being cut short due to his sexual orientation.
• The announcement, made during Pride Month, has sparked a national debate over the erasure of historical figures and the implications for military culture. The decision to rename the ship has been criticized as a deliberate attempt to undermine the progress made in recognizing the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
• The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk is not an isolated incident, as other vessels named after icons of American history, including civil rights leaders and women’s rights activists, are also being considered for renaming. This move raises questions about the military’s commitment to inclusivity and the role of diversity in the armed forces.
• The decision has drawn harsh criticism from Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates, with figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling it a “shameful, vindictive erasure” of civil rights figures’ legacies. Advocates and lawmakers are calling for the decision to be reversed, emphasizing the importance of honoring historical figures who have championed civil rights and human rights.

The U.S. Navy has been directed via an internal memo on Tuesday, June 3 – with the official announcement expected on June 13 – to rename the USNS Harvey Milk as part of a broader initiative by President Donald Trump to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) references within the military.

Harvey Milk was named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and was christened in 2021 by a transgender veteran. It was named to honor the legacy of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California. Milk’s service in the U.S. Navy in the 1950s was cut short due to his sexual orientation. His subsequent political career and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights made him an icon, but his life was tragically cut short when he was assassinated in 1978.

This decision, announced during Pride Month, has sparked a national debate over the erasure of historical figures and the implications for military culture.

According to multiple defense sources, the ship’s new name has not yet been chosen, but the decision to strip the vessel of its current name has already been made. The memo, reviewed by Military.com and other outlets, indicates that the Navy was instructed to prepare for the renaming by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The timing of the announcement – during Pride Month – has been seen as intentional by many.

“The timing is no coincidence,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom. “This is a deliberate attempt to undermine the progress we’ve made in recognizing the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.” (Related: Pentagon confirms 1,000 transgender service members to begin separation process under new ban.)

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the move a “shameful, vindictive erasure” of civil rights figures’ legacies. “The names of those who fought for civil rights and human rights bring luster to these ships,” Pelosi stated, “as their leadership brought luster to America.”

The defense department also plans to rename other vessels named after icons of American history, including civil rights leaders and women’s rights activists. This includes ships named after Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Harriet Tubman and Cesar Chavez.

Military culture and diversity

The move to rename these ships raises questions about the role of diversity in the military. Critics argue that erasing the names of historical figures who fought for equality undermines the military’s commitment to inclusivity. Advocates and lawmakers are also calling for the decision to be reversed.

The military has historically been a reflection of the nation’s values and priorities. The decision to rename these ships suggests a shift in the military’s stance on diversity and inclusion.

“The military should be a place where all Americans can serve with dignity and respect,” said one defense official.

The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk is a contentious issue that highlights the ongoing debate over diversity and inclusion in the military. The move has sparked a national conversation about the importance of honoring historical figures who have championed civil rights and human rights and the need to uphold the values that define American democracy.

Watch the video below that talks about Trump’s order to limit transgender ideology in the U.S. military.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Navy SEALs accused of going WOKE after Pride Month post sparks backlash.

U.S. Special Forces Navy SEALs engage in LGBT Pride prancing on social media as the rest of the world looks on and laughs.

Sources include:

RT.com

Military.com

Brighteon.com