US Navy Considers Renaming Multiple Ships Honoring Civil Rights Leaders

The U.S. Navy, under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration, is considering renaming several naval ships named after prominent civil rights and LGBTQ+ leaders, including the USNS Harvey Milk, USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and USNS Harriet Tubman. This move aligns with a broader effort to emphasize a renewed 'warrior culture' and push back against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the military. The planned renaming has sparked significant controversy and criticism, with Democrats like Nancy Pelosi condemning the actions as a 'shameful, vindictive erasure' of those who fought for equality. The list of ships targeted for renaming also includes vessels named after Thurgood Marshall, Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, Lucy Stone, and Medgar Evers. The timing of the announcement, expected during Pride Month, highlights the political and cultural tensions surrounding the change. While the Navy has not disclosed new names, the review reflects a shift in military policy under the current administration's priorities.