‘Gulf of America’
Trump orders name change for Gulf of Mexico
On his first day in office Monday, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
The order was among dozens issued by the 47th president and one which will hit close to home for Lee County’s gulf-front communities and islands.
The name change will not take effect immediately; the executive order sets out a process for appointing a board which could lead to the change being made as quickly as 30 days.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, though, wasted no time.
On Monday evening, he issued an executive order of his own related to a winter weather warning for the Panhandle and northern Florida, referring to the “Gulf of America” and so garnering national coverage in advance of the cold front.
Messages left with DeSantis’ communications office were not immediately returned.
He was not the only Florida official to embrace the called-for change.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott took to X (formerly known as Twitter) on Tuesday morning, to proclaim “New map just dropped, and the GULF OF AMERICA has never looked better off of Florida’s shores” with a map showing “GULF OF AMERICA” in bold letters with Scott’s name underneath.
In response to questions about the timeline for changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico and review board process, as well as the potential costs to schools to change textbooks and maps, and for federal agencies to adopt changes for official documents, Scott’s staff referred queries to The White House.
“The White House would have more details on the executive order,” said Madeline Holzmann, press secretary to Scott.
The office of Rep. Byron Donalds did not respond to requests for comment.
Trump’s executive order calls on the Secretary of the Interior to take “all appropriate actions” for the name change within 30 days and calls on the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to ensure all federal agency maps, documents and communications include the name change.
Trump’s order also calls for a review of each federal agency head’s appointments to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names within a week of the order and to “consider replacing those appointees in accordance with applicable law.”
The order calls on the Secretary of the Interior to “review and consider additional appointments to the Board to assist in fulfilling all aspects of this order, subject to all applicable laws.”
In his statement on the executive order, Trump said:
“The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning nation and has remained an indelible part of America. The Gulf was a crucial artery for America’s early trade and global commerce. It is the largest gulf in the world, and the United States coastline along this remarkable body of water spans over 1,700 miles and contains nearly 160 million acres. Its natural resources and wildlife remain central to America’s economy today. The bountiful geology of this basin has made it one of the most prodigious oil and gas regions in the world, providing roughly 14% of our Nation’s crude-oil production and an abundance of natural gas, and consistently driving new and innovative technologies that have allowed us to tap into some of the deepest and richest oil reservoirs in the world. The Gulf is also home to vibrant American fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crab, and other species, and it is recognized as one of the most productive fisheries in the world, with the second largest volume of commercial fishing landings by region in the Nation, contributing millions of dollars to local American economies. The Gulf is also a favorite destination for American tourism and recreation activities. Further, the Gulf is a vital region for the multi-billion-dollar U.S. maritime industry, providing some of the largest and most impressive ports in the world. The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy, and in recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation’s economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America.”
Within 30 days, the Secretary of the Interior is ordered to “update the GNIS to reflect the renaming of the Gulf and remove all references to the Gulf of Mexico from the GNIS, consistent with applicable law. The Board shall provide guidance to ensure all federal references to the Gulf of America, including on agency maps, contracts, and other documents and communications shall reflect its renaming.”
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com