The information caused strong reactions across the Atlantic. According to an investigation by the Washington Post, the U.S. Coast Guard is preparing to no longer consider the swastika as a hate symbol but instead as a “potentially divisive” symbol.
Claiming to have consulted internal documents in federal agencies related to internal security, American media indicated that this new directive should come into force on December 15.
However, what we call a “swastika” in English – it means something different in French – is a symbol of Nazism and white supremacy, the Washington Post recalls. And the Holocaust claimed the lives of five to six million Jews, as well as hundreds of thousands of American soldiers.
According to the Washington Post, the same directive would also apply to the noose, despite its reputation in the United States as a symbol of violence against black people after the Civil War. But also the flag of the Confederate States of America, although its display remains prohibited.
Our American colleagues stated that these measures aim to align the regulations governing the coast guard with the position of the American government.
“Swastika no split. They are anti-Semites,” protested the American Jewish Committee. “There is no snare split. They are racist. »
“This is all disgusting,” said Ed Markey, a senator from Massachusetts, like many other Democrats. The swastika and noose symbolize “genocide and lynching,” emphasized Mississippi elected official Bennie Thomson. Washington State Rep. Pramila Jayapal said the whole thing is “absolutely horrific.”
The Nazi swastika was not “divisive.” They are anti-Semitic.
They represent a regime responsible for the murder of six million Jews and insulting hundreds of thousands of Americans who gave their lives to defeat the Nazis 80 years ago.
Nor are snares “divisive.” They are… pic.twitter.com/53fZmmUfZY
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) November 20, 2025
“We will review the words”
In its publication in X, the American federal agency completely denied the Washington Post’s allegations. According to Admiral Kevin Lunday, acting commander of the US Coast Guard, the statement was “completely false”.
“Claims that the US Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses or other extremist images as prohibited symbols are false. These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard by policy. Any display, use or promotion of such symbols, such as…
— US Coast Guard (@USCG) November 20, 2025
“These symbols have always been and remain prohibited within the Coast Guard, in accordance with applicable policies”, we can read in this press release, warning that “any manifestation, use or promotion of these symbols will, as always, be the subject of a thorough investigation and will be subject to severe sanctions”.
The Coast Guard, Adm. Kevin Lunday wrote, “remains firmly committed to supporting a safe, respectful and professional work environment.” “Symbols such as swastikas, nooses, and other extremist or racist symbols run counter to our fundamental values and are treated with the utmost seriousness as required by current regulations,” concluded the head of the federal agency.
Tara Copp, one of the authors of the Washington Post article, told X that she was contacted by Coast Guard spokeswoman Jennifer Plozai after the article was published. The latter denied this information and emphasized that this branch of the armed forces considers the swastika a symbol of hatred.
UPDATE: In a phone call with @washingtonpostThe Coast Guard said it disagrees with the story and considers the swastika a symbol of hate — and will consider a new policy change — removing it as a symbol of hate.
“We will review the language,”… https://t.co/xqQEjHmwob— Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) November 20, 2025
The Coast Guard, Jennifer Plozai told Tara Copp, will study the change in directive and promised to “review the wording.”
