Trump-era naming spree extends beyond military to federal institutions
Trump-era naming extends to airports, peace institutes, and military vessels across federal institutions.
Event / Politics
USS Doris Miller Carrier Renaming
Navy officials are considering renaming the USS Doris Miller aircraft carrier under construction in Virginia. The ship was named in 2020 to honor Doris Miller, a Black Navy cook and World War II hero from Pearl Harbor. The potential renaming after President Trump would mark the first Navy vessel named for a sitting president. Miller's family opposes the change.
5 reported locations
Daily activity
2 articles0 articles
2026-08-22 to 2026-11-09 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Aug, 03:52 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Defense Secretary recommends Medal of Honor for Doris Miller
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently sent a memo to Congress recommending that Doris Miller receive the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest recognition for combat valor. Miller is under strong consideration to have his Navy Cross upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
Doris Miller killed in action in 1943
Doris Miller was killed in November 1943 when a Japanese submarine torpedoed the USS Liscome Bay during the Battle of Makin, killing approximately 700 sailors.
Navy considers renaming USS Doris Miller aircraft carrier
Navy officials are weighing whether to strip the name of Doris Miller from a Ford-class aircraft carrier under construction in Virginia and potentially rename it. The carrier was officially named USS Doris Miller during Trump's first administration in 2020, with the announcement made during a ceremony on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Navy considers naming aircraft carrier after President Trump
Navy officials are considering naming the aircraft carrier after President Donald Trump, which would mark the unprecedented naming of a Navy vessel for a sitting president. Three sources familiar with the matter indicated these discussions have been ongoing most of the summer.
Miller's great-nephew expresses shock at potential renaming
Thomas Bledsoe, Doris Miller's great-nephew and official family spokesperson, told ABC News that news of the potential name change came as a shock to the family. Bledsoe stated that the best outcome would be not to rename the ship, allowing the current generation in their 60s and 70s to see it launch under Doris Miller's name.
USS Doris Miller would be first aircraft carrier named for Black American
The USS Doris Miller would be the first aircraft carrier named for a Black American and the first aircraft carrier to honor an enlisted service member. A destroyer previously named after Miller entered the fleet in 1972 and was decommissioned in 1991.
U.S. Institute of Peace renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace
The State Department changed the name of the U.S. Institute of Peace to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.
Trump expressed desire for aircraft carrier named after him in 2020
At a White House event in February 2020, President Trump, while referencing the Navy's decision to name the carrier for Doris Miller, stated "They won't give me that honor" and suggested that perhaps one day an aircraft carrier might be named for him.
Navy ordered to rename ship honoring Harvey Milk
Defense Secretary Hegseth last year ordered the Navy to rename a ship honoring Harvey Milk, the Navy veteran and gay rights activist.
Palm Beach International Airport renamed for President Trump
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill to rename the Palm Beach International Airport the President Donald J. Trump International Airport.
Doris Miller decorated for heroism during Pearl Harbor attack
Doris Miller, a cook aboard the USS West Virginia during the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, assisted his mortally wounded captain to safety and then manned an anti-aircraft gun despite having no formal weapons training. He was credited with shooting down at least one Japanese aircraft, a notable feat given only 29 of approximately 350 Japanese planes were brought down during the attack. Miller was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest decoration for combat heroism.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Navy considers renaming carrier honoring Black Pearl Harbor hero
Navy weighs renaming USS Doris Miller, the first carrier honoring a Black American.