Restoring American Names (E.O. 14172)

Summary

Changes the name of a mountain and a gulf to honor America and directs a board to find more places to rename after American heroes.

What problem does this solve?

Some important places in the U.S. have names that do not honor great American heroes, such as when Mount McKinley's name was changed. This order changes the names of Mount McKinley and the Gulf of Mexico to honor America and tells a special group to find other places to rename.

What does this order do?

Reinstates the name Mount McKinley

Changes the name of the highest peak in North America, currently known as Denali, back to Mount McKinley to honor the 25th U.S. President.

Renames the Gulf of Mexico

Changes the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America' to recognize its importance to the nation's economy and people.

Changes the U.S. Board on Geographic Names

Requires agency heads to review and consider replacing their members on the board that decides official place names.

Sets a new policy for naming places

Directs the Board on Geographic Names to create a policy that honors 'visionary and patriotic Americans' when naming or renaming places.

Allows for honoring Alaska Native culture

Lets the Secretary of the Interior work with Alaska Native groups to name other local landmarks to honor their history and culture.

Who does this affect?

Federal agencies
Residents of Gulf Coast states
Alaska Natives

What is the real world impact?

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Asserts national identity over shared geography

Renames the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which could be seen as a move to claim a stronger American identity over a body of water shared with Mexico and Cuba.

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Prioritizes historical figures over indigenous names

By changing Denali back to Mount McKinley, the order favors honoring a U.S. president over the name used by Alaska Natives for centuries, which some may see as a disregard for indigenous culture.

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Reverses a previous administration's action

Directly undoes the 2015 decision by the Obama administration to change the name of Mount McKinley to Denali, which this order calls an 'affront'.

When does this start?

This order sets several deadlines for specific actions to be completed within 7 to 30 days.

Review of Board on Geographic Names members

Within 7 days of January 20, 2025, agency heads must review and consider replacing their appointees to the board.

Reinstatement of Mount McKinley name

Within 30 days of January 20, 2025, the Secretary of the Interior must officially reinstate the name 'Mount McKinley'.

Renaming of the Gulf of Mexico

Within 30 days of January 20, 2025, the Secretary of the Interior must take all actions to rename the body of water as the 'Gulf of America'.