The U.S. Coast Guard issued a new, more stringent policy on hate symbols including the swastika Thursday night, prohibiting “divisive or hate symbols or flags.” The change came hours after The Washington Post reported that the service would instead classify such symbols as “potentially divisive” under new guidelines set to be released next month.
“The Coast Guard does not tolerate the display of divisive or hate symbols and flags, including those identified with oppression or hatred. These symbols reflect hateful and prohibited conduct that undermines unit cohesion,” the Coast Guard’s new policy says.
In a news release, the agency said the latest guidelines were not an update but “a new policy to combat any misinformation and double down that the U.S. Coast Guard forbids these symbols.”

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