06.05.20

Cantwell Statement on Race-Based Harassment at Coast Guard Academy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement today after the release of a report from the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General on race-based harassment at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy:

“The Coast Guard’s response to race-based harassment at the Academy was absolutely unacceptable. Racism cannot be tolerated at an institution responsible with training the future leaders of the Coast Guard, and I will be pursuing vigorous oversight into this situation to make sure that systemic reform gets implemented.”

Specifically the investigation found that:

  • In the majority of hate and harassment cases at the Academy, the Coast Guard did not thoroughly investigate or discipline the individuals involved.
  • The Coast Guard continually failed to adequately include its own civil rights staff while conducting investigations, which lead to incomplete tracking of race-based incidents.
  • Race-based harassment is underreported at the Academy because cadets feel like they will face consequences for reporting such behavior.

The full report can be found HERE.

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