What's happened
The US Coast Guard has revised its policy on displaying hate symbols, downgrading swastikas and nooses from explicit hate symbols to 'potentially divisive.' The change has sparked criticism, with officials affirming that such symbols remain prohibited, but confusion persists over private display rules. The policy takes effect on December 15, 2025.
What's behind the headline?
The policy shift reflects a broader trend within the US military to reframe hate symbols as 'divisive' rather than outright prohibited, which could lead to increased tolerance or normalization of such symbols in certain contexts. This change is driven by efforts to balance free expression with discipline, but it risks undermining anti-hate measures at a time of rising antisemitism. The Coast Guard's move appears to be influenced by Pentagon directives and internal reviews of military policies on harassment and hate incidents. Critics, including political figures and civil rights groups, argue that this softening will embolden hate groups and threaten the safety of minority service members. The administration's stance remains that hate symbols are still prohibited, but the ambiguity around private display rights could lead to inconsistent enforcement and increased tensions within the service. The next few months will reveal whether this policy change results in a tangible shift in hate crime incidents or a decline in discipline and morale within the Coast Guard.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that the Coast Guard's new policy downgrades symbols like swastikas and nooses from 'symbols of hatred' to 'potentially divisive,' sparking criticism from civil rights advocates. The Times of Israel highlights that the policy explicitly bans divisive symbols, but the recent change has caused confusion about private display rights. The Independent notes that critics argue the policy rollback could permit hateful symbols to be displayed more freely, especially in private settings, amid rising antisemitism. The Coast Guard leadership insists that prohibitions remain in place, emphasizing investigations and punishments for violations. The debate underscores tensions between free expression, military discipline, and efforts to combat hate crimes, with political figures warning of increased risks to minority service members.
How we got here
The Coast Guard's previous policies explicitly labeled symbols like swastikas and nooses as symbols of hatred with no place in the service. Recent revisions aim to align with broader military policies and reduce broad prohibitions, but critics argue they weaken protections against hate symbols amid rising antisemitism and hate crimes.
Go deeper
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The United States Coast Guard is the coastal defense, search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services.
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Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American government official and former television personality who has served since 2025 as the 29th United States secretary of defense.
Hegseth studied politics at Princeton University, where he was the publi
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A noose is a loop at the end of a rope in which the knot tightens under load and can be loosened without.
The knot can be used to secure a rope to a post, pole or animal but only where the end is in a position that the loop can be passed over.
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The swastika or sauwastika — as a character, 卐 or 卍 respectively — is a geometrical figure and an ancient religious icon in the cultures of Eurasia.