# Booker blocks Trump renaming of Black hero's carrier

> Senator Cory Booker introduces bills to stop the Trump administration from renaming an aircraft carrier planned to honor Doris Miller, a Black Pearl Harbor hero.
- Title: Booker blocks Trump renaming of Black hero's carrier
- Summary: Senator Cory Booker introduces bills to stop the Trump administration from renaming an aircraft carrier planned to honor Doris Miller, a Black Pearl Harbor…
- Keywords: cory booker, doris miller, uss doris miller, aircraft carrier, trump administration, navy, pearl harbor, black service members, politics, news, Booker, blocks
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/new-legislation-aims-block-renaming-aircraft-carrier-trump-rcna600888
- Author: Courtney Kube
- Published: 2026-10-01T14:00:41+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: cory booker, doris miller, uss doris miller, aircraft carrier, trump administration, navy, pearl harbor, black service members, politics, news
## Hero of Pearl Harbor
Doris Miller was a mess attendant on the USS West Virginia during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in nineteen forty-one. Though untrained on weapons, he grabbed an antiaircraft gun and shot down at least one Japanese plane.
## First Black carrier namesake
The USS Doris Miller would be the first aircraft carrier named after a Black service member and an enlisted sailor. Miller was the first Black service member to receive the Navy Cross, the Navy's second-highest honor.
## Trump administration considers change
Navy leadership is discussing changing the proposed name of the aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller. Two U.S. officials said the Navy is considering naming the carrier after President Donald Trump instead.
## Booker introduces blocking bills
Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J., plans to introduce three bills Thursday to block the Trump administration from renaming the aircraft carrier and instead naming it after President Donald Trump.
## Booker's legislative approach
Booker's legislation would prohibit federal funds from being used to rename the ship and block future administrations from naming ships after sitting presidents and vice presidents. It also aims to provide more transparency to Congress about the naming process.
## Booker defends Miller's honor
Doris Miller didn't wait for permission to be a hero. He ran toward the fire at Pearl Harbor and fought for a country that wouldn't even let him train on the gun he used to defend it.

> Doris Miller didn't wait for permission to be a hero. He ran toward the fire at Pearl Harbor and fought for a country that wouldn't even let him train on the gun he used to defend it.
## Erasing history, Booker says
This administration wants to erase him and slap the president's name on a one hundred thousand ton warship. That isn't honoring the Navy. It's vandalizing its history, Booker said.

> This administration wants to erase him and slap the president's name on a one hundred thousand ton warship. That isn't honoring the Navy. It's vandalizing its history.
## Decision rests with Pentagon
Ship-naming authority lies with the Navy secretary, but defense secretaries are often deeply involved in decisions to name aircraft carriers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao will make the final decision.
## Key takeaway

Senator Cory Booker introduced three bills to block the Trump administration from renaming the USS Doris Miller aircraft carrier after President Trump instead of the Black Navy Cross recipient.