| "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness" | |
 | |
| Type | Executive order |
|---|---|
| Executive Order number | 14170 |
| Signed by | Donald Trump on January 20, 2025 |
| Federal Register details | |
| Publication date | 20 January 2025 |
| Summary | |
| The executive order aims to rename national landmarks, including reinstating "Mount McKinley" and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," | |
Executive Order 14170, titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness", is an executive order signed by Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States, on January 20, 2025.
The executive order directs the reinstatement of the name "Mount McKinley" to the highest peak in North America, reversing the 2015 decision to rename it Denali, and renames the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America". It also outlines the process for updating the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, promotes the honoring of American historical figures, and includes provisions for consulting with relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the order emphasizes the importance of national heritage and patriotism in the naming and renaming of landmarks.
Background
Denali–Mount McKinley
Main article: Denali-Mount McKinley naming disputeIn August 2015, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced that the name would officially be changed to Denali in all federal documents. While on an Alaskan visit in the first week of September 2015, President Barack Obama announced the renaming of the mountain. The Obama Administration's proposal was met with immediate criticism from the entire US Congressional delegation from Ohio (President McKinley's home state).
In December 2024, President-elect Donald Trump stated that he planned to revert the mountain's official name to Mount McKinley during his second term. Trump's proposal was met with immediate criticism from many prominent Alaskans.
Gulf of Mexico–Gulf of America
Main article: Gulf of Mexico § NameThe designation had been used humorously, by comedian Stephen Colbert in 2010 as well as in a satirical 2012 bill by Mississippi lawmaker Steve Holland.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Gulf of Amerika was the name of Nakhodka Bay in the Russian Far East, commemorating the Russian corvette Amerika.
Shortly after his second inauguration on January 20, 2025, United States President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14170 directing U.S. federal agencies to initiate a process to rename the area from the U.S. coast "extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba" as the Gulf of America.
Provisions
The order emphasizes the importance of honoring American history and heritage by naming national landmarks in a way that recognizes the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans.
Agency heads are directed to review and potentially replace their appointees to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (Board). The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with reviewing and making additional appointments to help implement the order. The Board is instructed to advance the policy of honoring American heroes in its naming and renaming decisions.
The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to reinstate the name "Mount McKinley" within 30 days, reversing the 2015 decision to rename it Denali. The surrounding national park area will retain the name Denali National Park and Preserve. The Secretary will also work with Alaska Native groups and local organizations to identify other landmark names that honor Alaskan history and culture.
The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" within 30 days, reflecting its importance to the U.S. economy and global commerce. The Secretary will update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and ensure that all federal documents reflect the new name.
The Secretary of the Interior is encouraged to seek public and intergovernmental input regarding other figures or landmarks that could be honored, particularly in light of America's upcoming 250th anniversary.
The order clarifies that it does not alter the authority of any executive department or agency, nor does it create new legal rights. It must be implemented in accordance with applicable law and the availability of appropriations.
Reactions
Two of Alaska's senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan have responded negatively to the renaming of Mount Denali to Mount McKinley with Sullivan stating the he preferred the name given to the mountain by the Koyukon Athabascan people, and Murkowski agreeing and stating that one cannot improve on the mountains name.
Past Interior secretary Sally Jewell, stated that she did not believe that Trump had the authority to change the name of the mountain, stating it was under the authority of the US Board on Geographical Names.
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico said that her country and the rest of the world would continue to refer to Gulf of Mexico. She had previously mocked the idea of renaming the gulf by suggesting that North America be renamed to "Mexican America" (Spanish: América Mexicana), citing the Constitution of Apatzingán.
On January 23, 2025, the Associated Press stated that its wire reports would continue to refer to Gulf of Mexico while acknowledging the Gulf of America, but that they would begin referring to Mount McKinley instead of Denali. Maps and other graphics accompanying the reports would continue to label Gulf of Mexico for the time being. The AP Stylebook also permits Gulf and Gulf Coast.
References
- "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness". The White House. US GOV. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- U.S. Department of the Interior/Sally Jewell (August 28, 2015). "Order No. 3337: Change of the Name of Mount McKinley to Denali" (PDF) (Press release). U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- Campbell, Jon (August 30, 2015). "Old Name Officially Returns to Nation's Highest Peak". U.S. Board on Geographic Names (U.S. Geological Survey). Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Davidson, Kate (September 6, 2015), Sarah Palin, Once Code-Named Denali, Likes McKinley Better, The Wall Street Journal, retrieved September 8, 2015
- Schuppe, Jon (August 31, 2015). "Mt. McKinley to Denali: How A Mountain's Renaming Got Tied Up in Politics". NBC News. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- "President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America's tallest peak". AP News. 2024-12-23. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Hussain, Zoe (2024-12-23). "Trump vows to give tallest mountain its old name back". Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Amy, Jeff (February 10, 2012). "Lawmaker Says 'Gulf of America' Bill Was a Joke". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Corpus Christi, TX. p. 7. Retrieved January 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. [REDACTED]
- Bogushevskaya, Victoria (2023). "Replaced but Not Forgotten: On Sinicised and Sinitic Toponyms in Primoskij Kraj" (PDF). Sulla via del Catai. 28. Trent: Centro Studi Martino Martini: 147.
- Trump, Donald J. (2025-01-20). "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness". The White House. Federal Government of the United States. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- "Trump to make good on Gulf of America promise with bonkers executive order". The Independent. 2025-01-20. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- Rogero, Tiago (2025-01-20). "Can Trump really rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ Friedman, Lisa (2025-01-22). "Denali or Mt. McKinley? Alaska Lawmakers Weigh In on Trump's Renaming Plan". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
- "Mexico's president amused by Trump's order to rename the Gulf of Mexico". Associated Press. January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- Janetsky, Megan (January 8, 2025). "Mexico's President Sheinbaum offers sarcastic response to Trump's 'Gulf of America' comment". Associated Press. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- "The AP establishes style guidance on the Gulf of Mexico and Mount McKinley". Associated Press. January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- Kellman, Laurie; Italie, Hillel (January 23, 2025). "Gulf of Whatnow? Trump's geographic renaming plans leave mapmakers pondering what to do next". Associated Press. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
External links
- Official text from the White House