Navy to Rename USNS Harvey Milk Amid Backlash

The U.S. Navy, following orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump’s administration, is moving to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after the slain gay rights activist and Navy veteran. The action, announced at the start of Pride Month, is part of a broader initiative to 're-establish the warrior culture' and may also affect ships honoring civil rights leaders such as Cesar Chavez, Thurgood Marshall, and Harriet Tubman. The directive has drawn widespread criticism from civil rights advocates, actors like Sean Penn and Dustin Lance Black, and politicians including Nancy Pelosi, who view it as an attempt to erase the contributions of marginalized communities. Supporters within the administration argue the renaming aligns with national priorities and military values. The move is part of an ongoing rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the Department of Defense. No replacement name for the USNS Harvey Milk has been announced, and the issue remains highly contentious.