Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough reversed a proposed ban of the iconic "V-J Day in Times Square" photograph that came to symbolize a more innocent America and the end of World War II.
The ban came under immediate ridicule after an internal memo was posted on the X account @EndWokeness on Tuesday.
RimaAnn Nelson, the Veterans Health Administration's top operations official, crafted the letter at the end of last month which directed all Veterans Health Administration facilities to remove the photo on the grounds that it was inconsistent with "the VA's no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault."
"The photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VA's no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault," the memo stated. "To foster a more trauma-informed environment that promotes the psychological safety of our employees and the veterans we serve, photographs depicting the 'V-J Day in Times Square' should be removed from all Veterans Health Administration facilities."
The photograph depicts a U.S. sailor grabbing and kissing a woman he did not know amid the joyous atmosphere of a Times Square parade.
"Employees have expressed discomfort with the display of this photograph, suggesting that its presence could be constructed as a tacit endorsement of the inappropriate behavior it depicts," the memo continued.
A few hours later, McDonough posted his own retraction on X saying, "Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities - and we will keep it in VA facilities."
Regarded as one of the most famous photographs of the 20th century, Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the moment on Aug. 14, 1945, after Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.