Tue Jan 21 18:08:26 UTC 2025: **Trump Issues Executive Order Renaming Gulf of Mexico ‘Gulf of America,’ Reverts Denali to Mount McKinley**
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a controversial move, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” The order, part of a broader effort described as bringing “common sense to government,” also reverses the Obama administration’s 2015 renaming of Alaska’s Denali mountain back to its previous name, Mount McKinley.
Trump’s action cites the Gulf’s importance to the United States and its alleged control by cartels as justification. He stated during a press conference that the new name, “Gulf of America,” is more appropriate and reflects U.S. interests. The executive order directs the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, newly appointed North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, to implement the name changes on all federal maps.
While presidents do possess the authority to rename geographic features via executive order, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names typically holds jurisdiction over such matters. The Gulf of Mexico is a significant body of water, covering approximately 600,000 square miles and vital to the U.S. economy, providing a significant portion of the nation’s petroleum refining capacity and seafood supply.
The move has already drawn a reaction from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who preemptively used “Gulf of America” in a recent executive order concerning winter weather. The international response, particularly from Mexico, is anticipated with interest. The legality and long-term implications of Trump’s executive order are likely to face scrutiny.
First Piper 