Donald Trump made headlines on his first day back in office as he began his second term as the 47th President of the United States.
According to the New York Post, Trump issued executive orders Monday night to rename two prominent American geographical features: the Gulf of Mexico will become the Gulf of America, while Mount Denali will revert to its previous name, Mount McKinley.
The executive orders direct the Interior Secretary to implement these changes within 30 days, affecting federal communications and government maps through updates to the Geographic Names Information System. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis showed immediate support for the change by using the new name "Gulf of America" in a state emergency declaration due to impending winter weather conditions.
Earlier this month, during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump spoke about the potential renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. He shared his enthusiasm for the proposed change, calling it a beautiful and fitting name.
The renaming initiative reflects Trump's broader policy stance toward Mexico, following tensions during his first term and recent threats of increased tariffs related to border security concerns. The Gulf, which borders five U.S. states - Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida - represents a crucial area for offshore petroleum production, aligning with Trump's energy policy goals.
The executive order emphasizes the Gulf's significance in various sectors, including maritime industry, energy production, international commerce, tourism, fishing, and recreation. These changes demonstrate Trump's commitment to reshaping American geographical nomenclature to reflect his administration's priorities.
The decision to restore Mount McKinley's name carries particular significance for Trump's administration. The mountain, standing at 20,310 feet, received its federal designation in 1917 to honor the 25th president, William McKinley, who was assassinated in 1901.
The executive order states:
This order honors President McKinley for giving his life for our great Nation and dutifully recognizes his historic legacy of protecting America's interests and generating enormous wealth for all Americans.
The administration's approach shows consideration for local interests by maintaining the name "Denali" for the surrounding national park. Additionally, the order instructs the secretary to collaborate with local Alaskan populations to preserve their traditional names.
These executive orders represent more than simple name changes. They reflect Trump's broader vision for American identity and his administration's approach to federal governance. The renaming initiative particularly impacts federal agencies, which must implement these changes in their communications and cartographic materials.
The orders specifically do not mandate the use of these new names in schools or non-federal settings, maintaining some flexibility in how these geographical features are referenced in different contexts. This approach allows for a gradual transition while ensuring federal consistency in nomenclature.
The implementation timeline gives federal agencies 30 days to incorporate these changes, suggesting a swift transition to the new designations. This rapid timeline demonstrates the administration's commitment to immediate action on its policy priorities.
On his first day back in office, President Trump executed significant changes to two major American geographical features through executive orders. The Gulf of Mexico's transformation to the Gulf of America and Mount Denali's return to Mount McKinley represents the administration's focus on reshaping American geographical identity. These changes, set to take effect within 30 days for federal purposes, mark a notable shift in how these landmarks will be officially recognized. However, their use remains optional in non-federal contexts.
