Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness
- Executive Order Number
- 14172
- President
- Donald Trump
- Signed
- January 20, 2025
- Published
- January 31, 2025
- Source
- Federal Register
- Original Document
- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-31/pdf/2025-02096.pdf
AI-Generated Summary
Executive Order Summary
Purpose
The purpose of this executive order is to honor the legacy of American heroes and promote national heritage by renaming significant geographical features after notable American figures.
Key Actions or Directives
- Appointments to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names: Agency heads must review and potentially replace appointees to the Board within seven days. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with considering additional appointments.
- Policy for Naming and Renaming: The Board must advance the policy of honoring visionary and patriotic Americans in naming and renaming decisions, with potential updates to its principles and procedures.
- Renaming of Mount McKinley: The Secretary of the Interior must reinstate the name "Mount McKinley" within 30 days, reversing a previous decision to rename it Denali. The surrounding national park area retains its name, Denali National Park and Preserve.
- Renaming of the Gulf of Mexico: Within 30 days, the Secretary of the Interior must rename the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America," reflecting its significance to the U.S. economy.
- Public and Intergovernmental Input: The Secretary of the Interior is encouraged to seek input for honoring additional patriots, especially in light of America’s semiquincentennial celebration.
Significant Changes to Policy or Law
- The order reinstates the name "Mount McKinley," reversing a previous administration's decision.
- It introduces a new name, "Gulf of America," for what was previously known as the Gulf of Mexico.
- It mandates that the U.S. Board on Geographic Names prioritize honoring American heroes in its naming decisions.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior and agencies involved with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names will need to update records and comply with new naming conventions.
- Citizens: The renaming of significant landmarks may evoke national pride or controversy, depending on public sentiment.
- International Relations: Renaming the Gulf of Mexico could have implications for international relations, especially with Mexico and Cuba, which border the Gulf.
Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Particularly the Department of the Interior and members of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
- State and Local Governments: Especially in Alaska and states bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
- Alaska Native Entities: They are to be involved in naming landmarks to honor Alaskan history and culture.
- Public: Citizens and tourists who interact with or visit these renamed geographical features.
Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The order operates within the authority of the President under 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f, but its implementation must be consistent with applicable laws.
- Constitutional: The President's authority to issue such an order is derived from executive powers, but it does not create any enforceable rights or benefits.
- Political: The renaming of Mount McKinley and the Gulf of Mexico could be seen as politically motivated, potentially sparking debate and affecting public and political perceptions of national heritage and historical figures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.