Trump administration slammed as defense secretary orders Navy to change name of ship that honors gay rights activist

President Donald Trump's administration has taken unnecessary measures to rename a Naval ship that was named after gay rights activist.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to scratch the name of Harvey Milk - a pioneer in the LGBTQ community, having fought for gay rights in San Francisco, where he was later elected as a politician.

Tragically, in 1978 he was assassinated at the age of 48 by fellow politician Dan White - who believed he orchestrated his departure from politics.

In 2016, then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced plans to name John Lewis-class of oilers fleet that were due to be constructed, after leaders who fought for civil and human rights as we know it in the US.

Milk himself is understood to have served in the Navy for four years, which is one reason the Obama administration found it fitting to name the vessel the USNS Harvey Milk.

American politician and gay rights activist Harvey Milk, pictured three years before his assassination (Clem Albers/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

The decision to rename comes as the US celebrate Pride month this June.

Chief spokesperson at the Pentagon, Sean Parnell said in a statement: "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."

Adding that any renaming of any Naval ship 'will be announced after internal reviews are complete'.

The decision has been slammed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who celebrated Milk for fighting for the 'dignity and worth of every person'.

USNS Harvey Milk is displayed during a ship naming ceremony in 2016, San Francisco (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The 85-year-old issued a damning statement on Tuesday (June 4), which read in part: "The reported decision by the Trump Administration to change the names of the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships in the John Lewis-class is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream.

"Our military is the most powerful in the world - but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the 'warrior' ethos.

"Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country."

She added "As the rest of us are celebrating the joy of Pride Month, it is my hope that the Navy will reconsider this egregious decision and continue to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Harvey Milk, a Veteran himself, and all Americans who forged historic progress for our nation."

UNILAD has contacted the White House for a comment.