Coast Guard Member Pulled From Storm Duty for Flashing White Power Sign

A member of the U.S. Coast Guard involved in rescue efforts for Tropical Storm Florence has reportedly been pulled from storm duty after flashing a white power sign on camera. The man, who has not been identified, was sitting in the background as Capt. John Reed, the commander of Florence response efforts in Charleston, South Carolina, was interviewed by MSNBC on Friday. He was caught on camera clearly displaying an “OK” hand signal affiliated with white nationalists as Reed was speaking. The Coast Guard quickly issued a statement on Twitter acknowledging the “offensive video” and saying the team member had been pulled from duty. “His actions do not reflect those of the United States Coast Guard,” the statement said.  Coast Guard Lt. J.B. Zorn told NBC News he didn’t want the man’s gesture to “detract from the good work the Coast Guard is doing in the region.” “Whatever that symbol means, it doesn't reflect the Coast Guard and our core values,” he said.