The U.S. Navy is preparing to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet oiler honoring the gay rights activist, according to internal documents obtained by CBS News. The move, directed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is expected to be announced on June 13—during Pride Month, an annual celebration of LGBT rights that marks the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising.
A Pentagon memo reviewed by Military.com states that the renaming aligns with the Trump administration’s goal of "reestablishing the warrior culture" in the armed forces. Navy Secretary John Phelan has been instructed to select a new name following a legal review. The Harvey Milk, christened in 2021 as part of the John Lewis-class fleet, is one of several ships under consideration for renaming, including the USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg and USNS Harriet Tubman.
The decision has drawn sharp condemnation from Democratic leaders and LGBT advocates. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes San Francisco, called it a "shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Hegseth to reverse the decision, writing on X that he "should be ashamed of himself."
Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, served as a Navy lieutenant before being forced out in 1955. After entering politics, he championed anti-discrimination laws before his assassination in 1978. Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Milk remains a symbol of LGBT rights.
Broader Rollback of Diversity Programs
The renaming follows a series of Trump administration policies curtailing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies. Earlier this year, Hegseth banned military observances of heritage months, including Pride Month and Black History Month, arguing they undermine military unity. President Trump has also issued executive orders limiting DEI programs and defining sex as strictly binary.
Supporters of DEI initiatives argue they rectify historical inequities, while critics claim they foster division. The Harvey Milk renaming, rare in Navy tradition, mirrors a 2023 decision to rename two Confederate-linked vessels—a move that, unlike this one, followed congressional review.
The Harvey Milk is currently undergoing maintenance in Alabama, with work set to conclude by late June. The Pentagon has not yet publicly commented on the reports.