JUST IN: DHS Debunks Faux Washington Publish Story On Coast Guard ‘Hate Symbols’ Replace
The federal government is vehemently denying a story from The Washington Post released Thursday, which claimed that the U.S. Coast Guard would no longer classify, swastikas, nooses and Confederate flags as “hate symbols.”
Citing a “new policy set to take place next month,” the outlet claimed that such symbols will instead be classified as “potentially divisive” in a deviation from previous guidelines. That policy, according to the report, is set to go into effect on December 15 and would require supervisors to investigate and could direct it to be removed after consulting with the legal office.
The report quickly went viral among leftists on social media, leading to formal denials from both the Coast Guard and DHS.
“The claims that the U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false. These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy,” Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting Coast Guard commandant, said in a statement.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said The Washington Post “should be embarrassed,” further describing the story as “fake crap.”
This is an absolute ludicrous lie and unequivocally false.
The @washingtonpost should be embarrassed it published this fake crap. https://t.co/DW94wjexEx
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) November 20, 2025
According to the service’s 2019 guidance implemented under former President Biden, commanders within the Coast Guard could direct that swastikas, nooses or other emblems be removed even if they are not deemed as a “potential hate incident.”
“The following is a non-exhaustive list of symbols whose display, presentation, creation, or depiction would constitute a potential hate incident: a noose, a swastika, supremacist symbols, Confederate symbols or flags, and antiSemitic symbols, among many others,” the Coast Guard said in the guidance.
“The display of these type symbols constitutes a potential hate incident because hate based groups have co-opted them as symbols of supremacy, racial intolerance, religious intolerance, or other bias,” the service said. ”Symbols can be presented as images, on any type of material or clothing, as words or numbers, and, in any combination.”
The Coast Guard stated that under the new policy, terminology such as “hate incident” will no longer be used.
“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,” the Coast Guard wrote.
Admiral Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard’s acting commandant, stressed Thursday that the language changes do not mean that such symbols will not be dealt with.“The Coast Guard remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and professional workplace. 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,” he said.
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