Coast Guard pushes back on reports of policy change around hate symbols including swastikas

The Coast Guard is pushing back on reports that it will no longer classify swastikas and nooses as hate symbols -- with a categorical denial.

A Coast Guard document dated Nov. 2 appears to suggest that such symbols would be classified as harassment rather than as hate incidents.  The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday night clarified its policy in an updated document that makes clear that "hate symbols" are prohibited.

But the Nov. 2 version seemed to replace the term "hate" with "harassment."

"Conduct previously handled as a potential hate incident, including those involving symbols widely identified with oppression or hatred, is processed as a report of harassment in cases with an identified aggrieved individual, or in accordance with Chapter 11 of this Instruction," according to the Nov. 2 updated policy. "The terminology 'hate incident' is no longer present in policy."

Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard Kevin Lunday said that the "claims that the U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false."

Lunday said that 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," Lunday said in the statement. "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."

"These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy," Lunday said in a statement.

ABC News has reviewed the Nov. 2 policy document and compared it to a 2023 version, and there is a wording difference regarding potential hate symbols as compared to potential divisive symbols.

It appeared that if Coast Guard personnel displayed these images, they would be disciplined.

The key difference appeared to be that rather than calling incidents involving these images "hate," they were calling them incidents of harassment.

"Potentially divisive symbols and flags include, but are not limited to, the following: a noose, a swastika, and any symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups as representations of supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, or other bias," according to the November 2025 document.

A similar 2023 document reviewed by ABC News, says "a noose, a swastika, supremacist symbols, Confederate symbols or flags, and anti-Semitic symbols" were categorized as "potential hate incidents."

The Coast Guard's document out Thursday says that "divisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited."

"These symbols and flags include, but are not limited to, the following: a noose, a swastika, and any symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups as representations of supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, anti-semitism, or any other improper bias," the order says. "The display of any divisive or hate symbol is prohibited and shall be removed from all Coast Guard workplaces, facilities, and assets."

In a message to members of the Coast Guard, and obtained by ABC News, Lunday and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Phil Waldron directly addressed The Washington Post's report on the policy change.

"Let me be absolutely clear: The Coast Guard's policy prohibiting hate and discrimination is absolute," the message said. "These prohibited symbols represent repugnant ideologies that are in direct opposition to everything we stand for. We have zero tolerance for hate within our ranks."