Harvey Milk Was a Patriot. Why Is Pentagon Removing His Name from a Navy Ship?

Since he was sworn in four months ago after an airtight confirmation vote, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has continued to be at the center of controversy. We have seen Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging app on an unsecure personal phone to discuss sensitive military operations, his firing of three senior aides, and a Pentagon chock-full of internal turmoil.

Now, Hegseth has reportedly approved the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet replacement oiler that was named in 2016 after the former Navy lieutenant and gay-rights leader who was assassinated in 1978.

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John Fund

John Fund is National Review’s national-affairs reporter.

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Pete Hegseth

Since he was sworn in four months ago after an airtight confirmation vote, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has continued to be at the center of controversy. We have seen Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging app on an unsecure personal phone to discuss sensitive military operations, his firing of three senior aides, and a Pentagon chock-full of internal turmoil.

Now, Hegseth has reportedly approved the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet replacement oiler that was named in 2016 after the former Navy lieutenant and gay-rights leader who was assassinated in 1978.