Wagner Weighs In on Defense Sec. Hegseth’s Order to Rename the USNS Harvey Milk in Newsweek Article

June 9, 2025

Newsweek

Alex Wagner

Maxwell in Washington, D.C.

Defense & Security

Federal

Sexual Identity

United States

Newsweek

Alex Wagner

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the secretary of the Navy to rename the oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk. The ship, which was launched in 2021 and named after the gay rights activist and Navy veteran who was made to resign from the force because of his sexual orientation, is set to be officially renamed later this month. It is not clear what the new name will be, but the timing is notable given that June is Pride Month.

“It's disappointing, but no surprise given his inexperience, that Secretary of Defense Hegseth remains singularly obsessed with issues surrounding race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. When I served in the Pentagon, our entire team was focused on the competition from, and power projection capabilities of, China,” says Alex Wagner, adjunct professor in Maxwell's Washington programs and former Pentagon official.

Read more in the Newsweek article, “Harvey Milk Navy Ship To Be Renamed—Vets Call It ‘Insult to LGBTQ Troops.’”