Coast Guard drops 'potentially divisive' symbol language as Lunday nomination moves forward

The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday removed references in its policy that described hate symbols as "potentially divisive," as part of ongoing revisions that also coincided with lifting a hold on Adm. Kevin Lunday's nomination to lead the service. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose department oversees the Coast Guard, announced the changes on social media, saying the updates will prevent misrepresentation of the Coast Guard's position on divisive and hate symbols.

Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., had placed a hold on Lunday's confirmation, saying leadership appeared to have "backtracked" on a commitment that swastikas and nooses are prohibited from display. Rosen said she was lifting the hold and looked forward to working with Lunday on strengthening anti-harassment policy. She noted the policy now uses stronger language against those symbols but said process concerns remained.

Noem described the delay in Lunday's nomination as a "politicized holdup" and urged confirmation without delay, praising Lunday's nearly 39 years of service to the Coast Guard, the country and the American people. "He has given nearly 39 years of distinguished service to the Coast Guard, this country, and the American people," she said, urging a prompt vote.

The Coast Guard's planned policy change—made public last month—stopped short of an outright ban on hate symbols. It said the symbols would be treated as "potentially divisive" in public-facing spaces, with commanders empowered to remove them from view; private spaces, such as family housing, were exempt. The Department of Homeland Security said the change strengthens its ability to report, investigate and prosecute violations of longstanding policy. The Coast Guard also said it maintains a zero-tolerance stance toward hate symbols, extremist ideology and any conduct that undermines its core values. It added that it prohibits the display or promotion of hate symbols in any form, and that any suggestion otherwise is false. The Washington Post first reported the updates to the policy.

The policy revisions come amid a broader debate over how federal agencies address symbols tied to hate and extremism and how leadership communicates those policies. DHS has insisted there was no downgrade in policy language, and officials have said the update was aimed at clarity and enforcement rather than signaling a policy shift. Lunday's confirmation hearing had been watched closely by members of Congress and civil rights groups, who called for strong enforcement of anti-harassment rules within the service.