The United States Navy raised eyebrows when it named a ship after gay activist and former San Francisco Mayor Harvey Milk.

Yet in a which has infuriated Democrats, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered that Milk's name be removed from the vessel. 

Change to "be announced after internal reviews are complete"

That information was reported on Tuesday by ABC News, which cited Department of Defense (DOD) sources said to be familiar with the matter.

Hegseth Orders Navy to Strip Name of Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk from Ship https://t.co/qPM9uoz6mu

— Military.com (@Militarydotcom) June 3, 2025

Sean Parnell is the Pentagon's chief spokesman, and he issued a statement explaining that the renaming of ships "will be announced after internal reviews are complete."

"Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos,"  Parnell added.

Department of Veterans Affairs praised Milk for fighting "to expand gay rights"

In 2021, a Department of Veterans Affairs statement celebrated Milk as someone who "effused the values of honor, courage and commitment as he fought to expand gay rights."

"From the Navy’s founding to the modern day, its members – active, reserve and civilian – are bound to the values of honor, courage and commitment. Navy Veteran Harvey Milk held onto each of those values throughout his civilian life with great care," the department declared.

"When he made history by becoming California’s first openly gay elected official in 1978, it was clear that Milk had integrated the Navy’s core values into his activism,"

"Though his life was cut short after being assassinated less than a year in elected office, it was clear that his life and legacy exemplified the Navy’s core values,"

Some point to allegations that Milk was a sexual predator

Hegseth's decision was slammed on social media by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who described it as a "spiteful move" that "does not strengthen our national security or the 'warrior' ethos."

However, others welcomed the removal of Milk's name, with some pointing to allegations that he was a sexual predator who preyed on underage boys.

They included author Joy Pullmann, who serves as senior editor at The Federalist. She wrote, "As I point out in 'False Flag,' Harvey Milk had sex with underage boys. He doesn't deserve any honors anywhere, ever."

Attorney Mary Rice Hasson serves as a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and she offered a similar perspective, writing, "Harvey Milk was a pedophile. This is the right thing to do."