Sens. James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), the co-chairs of the Senate antisemitism task force, wrote to Adm. Kevin Lunday, the acting commandant of the Coast Guard, raising additional questions about policy changes regarding displays of swastikas.

The Washington Post reported Thursday that the Coast Guard would no longer consider swastikas to be prohibited hate symbols, but rather “potentially divisive.” The policy was walked back — but Lankford and Rosen’s letter asks for details about changes to the investigative process for such incidents, which remain unchanged in the updated policy.

Per the letter, under previous policies, a full investigation was required for displays of a swastika, whereas the new policy requires a potentially less stringent process, an inquiry by the relevant commanding officer.

“In order for the Coast Guard to fully protect those who serve, any inquiry regarding conduct involving imagery historically associated with genocide, terror, and racial subjugation must, at a minimum, be full and transparent to ensure the civil rights of those impacted are protected and conducted in a manner in which victims feel safe to report these incidents,” the lawmakers wrote.

They also said that they “would like to better understand the rationale for why the inquiry process was deemed to be preferable to the investigative process in place in the 2023 and 2019 policies, which had successfully ensured that hate incidents would lead to accountability.”

They thanked Lunday for working with them to “quickly rectify quickly rectify the November 15 policy language reaffirming the Coast Guard’s views that swastikas and nooses are hate symbols, but more must be done to ensure the Coast Guard’s members know that displays or use of these symbols within its ranks or facilities will be swiftly investigated.”

Both senators said they spoke to Lunday on Thursday evening, amid the uproar about the policy change, and said that the updated policy “is a step in the right direction to affirm the Coast Guard’s commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all its members.”

Lankford is one of just a few Republicans who has spoken out publicly about the controversial Coast Guard policy change.

Sens. James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), the co-chairs of the Senate antisemitism task force, highlighted concerns about the latest FBI hate crimes statistics showing a record-high level of antisemitic hate crimes in 2024, and called for further action.

The FBI reported earlier this week that hate crimes against Jews accounted for 70% of all religiously motivated hate crimes in 2024 and hit their highest level since the FBI began collecting data in 1991, even as overall hate crimes rates across the country decreased. A total of 1,938 antisemitic hate crimes were reported to the FBI’s collection program last year.

“The FBI’s latest hate crimes report paints a troubling picture. Jewish Americans continue to be targeted simply because of their faith and heritage in schools, synagogues, and in their own neighborhoods,” Lankford said in a statement. “This disturbing trend demands urgent attention. I remain committed to confronting antisemitism and strengthening reporting to fully understand the scope of this threat. By working together, Congress, the Administration, and law enforcement can help ensure that every Jewish American can live without fear.”

Rosen said, “All Americans should be deeply troubled by the sharp increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes detailed in this report.” 

“As one of the co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Forces for Combating Antisemitism, I remain steadfast in our commitment to work across party lines to root out the scourge of antisemitism,” Rosen continued. “We’ll continue pushing to ensure the federal government keeps Jewish Americans safe from discrimination, violence, and hate.”