Say Goodbye to the USNS Harvey Milk: Defense Secretary Hegseth Plans a Renaming
Defense Secretary Hegseth advocates for the dismissal of Navy ship crew members identified as gay activists.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link In a surprising twist, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is tugging at the Navy's Hemline. He's planning to rechristen a navy ship that now goes by the name "USNS Harvey Milk." But, what's next for the ship? Only time will tell!
The timing of this scrubbing session is no accident, as June has been designated as Pride Month - a time when people champion the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Last evening (local time), CBS News dropped a bomb, reporting that other ships named after civil rights figures might follow suit. Democrat heavyweight Nancy Pelosi isn't happy. She slammed the plan as nothing less than "malicious," "shameful," and "vengeful."
Harvey Milk (1930-1978), a former Navy diving officer during the Korean War, was unceremoniously booted out due to his sexual orientation. Post his discharge, he became a champion for LGBTQ+ rights and was the first openly gay politician to grace the San Francisco city council in the swanky 70s. A tragic end awaited him in November 1978 when an assassin's bullet claimed his life along with that of Mayor George Moscone within the hallowed chambers of City Hall. The gripping film "Milk" (2008), directed by Gus Van Sant, showcases Harvey Milk's inspiring journey, portrayed by Sean Penn.
Back in the day, Hegseth laid out a new game plan for the U.S. military in a strategic document. The proposed measures to foster diversity were deemed incompatible with the military's values, according to Hegseth. He insisted that these guidelines needed to be snuffed out - pronto - to reclaim the military's roots, characterized by high-quality norms.
Sources: ntv.de, DPA
Enrichment Data: The Navy has officially begun the renaming process, following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's orders. The new name of the ship, however, remains a mystery. Navy Secretary John Phelan has been instructed to carry out the change, in line with the objectives of reestablishing a "warrior culture" under the Trump administration. The controversy surrounding the move is undeniable, given Harvey Milk's standing as a civil rights icon in the LGBTQ+ community[1].
Critics have pointed to Hegseth's previously controversial actions, such as his criticism of transgender military members, which have sparked widespread outrage[3].
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plans to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a navy ship currently named after a civil rights icon for the LGBTQ+ community, have sparked controversy and political debate, particularly during Pride Month.
- The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, initially a setback for activists and general news, could potentially open new war-and-conflicts battles within the realm of politics, as the US Secretary of Defense, Hegseth, faces backlash for his actions that challenge the military's historical recognition of figures like Harvey Milk.
