On January 13, 2025, the Biden administration revealed that the upcoming CVN-82 will be named after William J. Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States. The announcement came just a week before President Biden’s departure from office, which didn’t sit well with many. Choosing to honor President Clinton with a carrier’s name seems, to some, disrespectful to the sailors who served during his presidency.
Clinton’s time in office saw significant cuts to the Navy, dismissals of several high-ranking officials over personal scandals, and a series of controversial decisions that raised eyebrows. Perhaps most notably, there was the withdrawal of Admiral Stan Arthur’s nomination for a key position, alongside the tragic suicide of the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Michael Boorda.
When Clinton took office, the Navy was still reeling from the Tailhook scandal. He professed a commitment to combatting sexism and harassment within the military—a commendable aim, no doubt. But the approach taken often appeared heavy-handed, resulting in the destruction of numerous careers among naval aviators instead of truly addressing the issue.
The previous administration had anticipated reducing the fleet from around 600 ships to 450 over a seven-year period. Yet Clinton’s administration accelerated that process, cutting the fleet down to 330 vessels in just two years.
This wasn’t solely about ships; many military personnel from the Reagan era, who were expecting to retire with benefits, found their futures abruptly altered. Clinton’s budget strategists sought to trim the active-duty roster, leading to a systematic reduction that put many service members at risk of missing retirement eligibility.
The wave of cuts included Selective Early Retirement Boards, various buyouts, and promotion boards that failed to meet established personnel management requirements. By 1998, the Navy’s officer corps was short by about 2,500 members.
On a personal level, Clinton’s actions are controversial. He dodged the draft and faced multiple accusations of sexual harassment, yet he managed to employ legal tactics to shield himself when confronted by such claims. His connections to convicted individuals further complicate his legacy.
Some may argue that changing the CVN-82’s name at this point is impractical, but it’s certainly not impossible. After all, Clinton once requested a name change for CVN-75. Once the ship is officially commissioned, though, it may indeed be too late.
Instead of associating one of the nation’s significant warships with a figure of questionable integrity, it may be wiser to honor someone like President William McKinley. McKinley not only served bravely in the Union Army during the Civil War but was also the last serving president who was a veteran of that conflict.
Moreover, McKinley presided over the Spanish-American War, a period that showcased decisive naval victories and bolstered the United States’ status as a global power in the Pacific. Let’s take a moment to consider the long-term implications of naming CVN-82 after someone who truly embodies honor and service, rather than someone with a troubled history.
It would be a situation to regret in a decade if CVN-82 bears Clinton’s name. McKinley’s legacy would be a far more fitting tribute.
