The U.S. Navy is weighing a plan to rename a Ford-class aircraft carrier under construction after President Donald Trump, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.

The ship, designated CVN-81, had been slated to become the USS Doris Miller in recognition of the Black sailor who earned the Navy Cross for his actions during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The Navy announced the original name during Trump's first term.

Internal conversations have floated renaming the vessel to honor Trump, a move that would mark the first time an active-duty president received such recognition on a carrier. The service is instead exploring naming another warship after Miller and recommending him for the Medal of Honor, with final approval resting with Congress and the president.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao has directed a review of ship-naming guidelines to clarify eligibility, including for presidents. The Navy has already ceased internal references to the ship by the Doris Miller name, referring to it only by its hull number.

The keel-laying ceremony for the carrier is scheduled for later this year, creating urgency for a final decision. The vessel is not expected to enter service until 2034.

Doris Miller, a mess attendant from Waco, Texas, manned an anti-aircraft gun without training during the Pearl Harbor attack, aiding his shipmates before the vessel sank. He later died in action in 1943.

The effort aligns with broader Pentagon reviews of names tied to diversity initiatives under the current administration. A prior renaming commission examined traditions favoring presidents, admirals, and major battles for carriers.

The Department of War referred questions to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, which stated it had nothing to announce.