November 20, 2025

Ranking Member Larsen Statement on Reports of Coast Guard Downgrading Swastikas, Nooses and Confederate Flags as Hate Symbols

Washington, D.C.—Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA) released the following statement after the Washington Post reported that the United States Coast Guard plans to stop classifying the swastika, nooses, Confederate flags and other harmful iconography as a hate symbol.

“Lynching is a federal hate crime. The world defeated the Nazis in 1945. The debate on these symbols is over. They symbolize hate,” Ranking Member Larsen said. “Coast Guard: be better.”

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