Analysis of the Executive Order: “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness”

President Trump’s executive order focuses on reshaping the symbolic landscape of U.S. geographic and cultural landmarks to align with a narrative of honoring historical figures and American achievements. It includes reinstating historical names and promoting “patriotic” renaming efforts.

Key Provisions of the Executive Order

1. Policy and Purpose

• Core Objective: Celebrate American heritage by reinstating names of landmarks and geographical features that honor historical figures and their contributions to the nation.
• Symbolism: Reflects a broader cultural agenda to emphasize traditional American values and achievements.

2. Appointments to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names

• Action Steps:
  • Federal agencies are directed to review and replace appointees to the Board on Geographic Names to align with the executive order’s objectives.
  • The Board is tasked with reviewing applications for renaming and updating policies to prioritize honoring “visionary and patriotic Americans.”

3. Specific Renaming Actions

1. Mount McKinley:
   • The name “Denali” for North America’s highest peak, adopted in 2015 under President Obama, is rescinded.
   • The peak is officially renamed “Mount McKinley” to honor the 25th President, highlighting his contributions to economic growth and military victory.
   • The surrounding park retains the name “Denali National Park and Preserve.”
2. Gulf of America:
   • The Gulf of Mexico is renamed “Gulf of America.”
   • This renaming aims to emphasize the region’s economic importance and align its identity more closely with American prosperity and sovereignty.

4. Additional Recommendations

• Future Patriot Honoring:
  • Public input will be solicited to identify additional historical figures for recognition, tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

Potential Implications

Cultural and Symbolic Impact

• Reframing History:
  • Renaming efforts underscore a conservative emphasis on restoring historical narratives aligned with traditional patriotism.
  • Critics may view the renaming as politicizing history or erasing other cultural contributions.

Federal-State Relations

• State Reactions:
  • States like Alaska, which previously celebrated the “Denali” designation to honor native heritage, may resist the renaming of Mount McKinley.
  • Gulf Coast states (Texas, Louisiana, Florida) may align with the administration’s vision but could encounter international scrutiny over renaming shared maritime zones.

Alignment with Project 2025 and Predicted Trends

• Cultural Policy:
  • The executive order aligns with Project 2025’s goals of restoring traditional values, emphasizing patriotism, and rejecting progressive reinterpretations of history.
  • The renaming aligns with our predictions of cultural policy being a priority for the administration.
• Federal Oversight:
  • The restructuring of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names reflects a broader trend of consolidating federal oversight to align with executive priorities.

Challenges and Reactions

Domestic

• Opposition from Native Communities:
  • Native groups and organizations may challenge the reinstatement of the McKinley name, arguing that it diminishes recognition of indigenous cultures.
• Legal and Administrative Delays:
  • Updating federal documents, maps, and databases to reflect these renamings could face bureaucratic hurdles.

International

• Diplomatic Strain:
  • Renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” could create diplomatic friction with Mexico and Cuba, nations with shared borders and economic interests in the region.

Scenario Integration: Timeline and Adjusted Predictions

Phase 1: Immediate Implementation (Days 1-30)

• Action: The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is restructured, and the names “Mount McKinley” and “Gulf of America” are reinstated in federal systems.
• Reactions:
  • States and Advocacy Groups: Pushback from Alaskan officials and native groups over Mount McKinley renaming.
  • International Diplomacy: Mexico and Cuba issue diplomatic statements condemning the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

Probability Adjustments:

• Native-led lawsuits against Mount McKinley renaming: 60%.
• Diplomatic tensions with Mexico and Cuba: 70%.

Phase 2: Cultural and Political Fallout (Month 2-6)

• Polarization:
  • Supporters frame the renaming as a restoration of patriotic values, while critics argue it erases indigenous and shared international identities.
  • Conservative states adopt local measures to celebrate other historical figures, deepening cultural divides.

Probability Adjustments:

• Nationwide cultural debates: 80%.
• Native and progressive-led protests: 75%.

Potential Outcomes

1. Outcome A: Widespread Cultural Backlash (40%)
   • Nationwide protests by indigenous and cultural advocacy groups.
   • Legal challenges delay full implementation of renaming actions.
2. Outcome B: Cultural Shift Favoring Patriotism (50%)
   • Broader acceptance of renaming as part of a cultural realignment.
   • Republican-led states follow with local naming initiatives.
3. Outcome C: International Retaliation (30%)
   • Mexico pursues economic or diplomatic responses to the Gulf renaming.

The Text of the order as it appears on 01-21-2025 on whitehouse.gov.

RESTORING NAMES THAT HONOR AMERICAN GREATNESS
EXECUTIVE ORDER
January 20, 2025

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose and Policy. It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes. The naming of our national treasures, including breathtaking natural wonders and historic works of art, should honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans in our Nation’s rich past.

Sec. 2. Appointments to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. (a) Within seven days of the date of this order, each agency head with authority to appoint members to the Board on Geographic Names (Board) pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 364a, shall review their respective appointees and consider replacing those appointees in accordance with applicable law.

(b) The Secretary of the Interior shall review and consider additional appointments to the Board to assist in fulfilling all aspects of this order, subject to all applicable laws.

(c) With respect to all applications for naming and renaming submitted to the newly constituted Board, the Board shall advance the policy established in section 1 of this order to honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans and may update its principles, policies, and procedures as needed to achieve this policy.

(d) Where Congressional action is required to establish a renaming in public law, following Board approval on renaming, the Board shall provide guidance to all relevant Federal agencies to use the Board-approved name in the interim in federal documents and achieve consistency across the federal government.

Sec. 3. Renaming of Mount McKinley. (a) President William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, heroically led our Nation to victory in the Spanish-American War. Under his leadership, the United States enjoyed rapid economic growth and prosperity, including an expansion of territorial gains for the Nation. President McKinley championed tariffs to protect U.S. manufacturing, boost domestic production, and drive U.S. industrialization and global reach to new heights. He was tragically assassinated in an attack on our Nation’s values and our success, and he should be honored for his steadfast commitment to American greatness.

In 1917, the country officially honored President McKinley through the naming of North America’s highest peak. Yet after nearly a century, President Obama’s administration, in 2015, stripped the McKinley name from federal nomenclature, an affront to President McKinley’s life, his achievements, and his sacrifice.

This order honors President McKinley for giving his life for our great Nation and dutifully recognizes his historic legacy of protecting America’s interests and generating enormous wealth for all Americans.

(b) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall, consistent with 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f, reinstate the name “Mount McKinley.” The Secretary shall subsequently update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the renaming and reinstatement of Mount McKinley. The national park area surrounding Mount McKinley shall retain the name Denali National Park and Preserve.

(c) The Secretary of the Interior shall work with Alaska Native entities and state and local organizations to adopt names for landmarks to honor the history and culture of the Alaskan people.

Sec. 4. Gulf of America. (a) 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.

(b) As such, within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall, consistent with 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f, take all appropriate actions to rename as the “Gulf of America” the U.S. Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba in the area formerly named as the Gulf of Mexico. The Secretary shall subsequently 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.

Sec. 5. Additional Action. The Secretary of Interior may solicit public and intergovernmental input regarding additional patriots to honor, particularly in light of America’s semiquincentennial celebration, and shall recommend action to me, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

January 20, 2025.

Scenario Integration: “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness”

The executive order renaming Mount McKinley and the Gulf of Mexico introduces significant cultural, political, and international dimensions to our scenario. Below is the updated timeline, incorporating these developments alongside their potential implications and adjusted probabilities.

Updated Play-by-Play Scenario

Phase 1: Federal Implementation and Immediate Responses (Days 1-30)

1. Federal Action:
   • The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is restructured with appointees aligned with the administration’s goals.
   • Mount McKinley and the Gulf of America renamings are implemented across federal databases and documents.
2. State-Level Reactions:
   • Alaska’s state government, along with Native American organizations, issues public statements condemning the reinstatement of the Mount McKinley name, citing cultural erasure.
   • Gulf Coast states like Texas and Florida voice cautious support for renaming the Gulf, but diplomatic unease emerges with Mexico.
3. Public Opinion and Advocacy:
   • Indigenous advocacy groups organize protests, emphasizing the symbolic loss of Denali as a tribute to native heritage.
   • Conservative groups champion the renamings as a restoration of traditional American values.

Probability Adjustments:

• Protests by indigenous and advocacy groups: 75%.
• Legal challenges to Mount McKinley renaming: 60%.
• Diplomatic statements from Mexico and Cuba: 70%.

Phase 2: Cultural Polarization and Escalation (Month 2-6)

1. Cultural Divide:
   • Progressive states and indigenous organizations launch campaigns opposing the executive order, framing it as part of a broader cultural rollback.
   • Conservative states pass local resolutions or initiatives mirroring federal renaming efforts, deepening regional divides.
2. Diplomatic Tensions:
   • Mexico officially protests the renaming of the Gulf, with calls to maintain shared cultural heritage in international waters.
   • Some U.S.-Mexico trade discussions face delays as a symbolic response.
3. Federal Advocacy Campaign:
   • The administration launches public messaging to promote the renamings, tying them to the upcoming U.S. semiquincentennial celebration in 2026.

Probability Adjustments:

• Widening cultural divide between red and blue states: 80%.
• Diplomatic friction impacting U.S.-Mexico relations: 60%.
• Escalation of native-led lawsuits: 50%.

Phase 3: Broader Social and International Impacts (Month 6-12)

1. Legal and Social Outcomes:
   • Native groups pursue lawsuits to challenge the legitimacy of the Mount McKinley renaming.
   • Federal courts weigh in on whether the order’s implementation respects established naming processes and cultural heritage protections.
2. International Repercussions:
   • Mexico explores symbolic or economic retaliations, such as revisiting trade agreements or issuing official maps that retain the “Gulf of Mexico” name.
3. Political Fallout:
   • Presidential opposition leverages the controversy to mobilize progressive voters and highlight broader cultural policy disputes.
   • The administration doubles down on patriotic messaging, framing opposition as anti-American sentiment.

Probability Adjustments:

• Legal victories for indigenous groups: 45%.
• Economic impact from Mexico’s retaliation: 30%.
• Continued polarization of public opinion: 85%.

Potential Outcomes

1. Outcome A: Symbolic Compromise (35%)
   • Mount McKinley is renamed with a dual designation (e.g., “Mount McKinley-Denali”) to balance historical and indigenous significance.
   • The Gulf of America name is limited to U.S. territorial waters, leaving the shared international region as the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Outcome B: Full Implementation Amid Resistance (50%)
   • The administration successfully enforces the renamings across all federal documents, maps, and references.
   • Protests and lawsuits fail to reverse the actions but galvanize cultural opposition.
3. Outcome C: Legal and Diplomatic Reversal (15%)
   • Courts or international bodies challenge the renamings, delaying or preventing full implementation.

Next Steps and Recommendations

1. Monitoring Legal Challenges:
   • Track lawsuits from indigenous organizations and progressive coalitions contesting the renaming of Mount McKinley.
2. Analyzing Diplomatic Developments:
   • Watch for official statements or actions from Mexico and Cuba in response to the Gulf renaming.
3. Public Sentiment Analysis:
   • Monitor shifts in public opinion, particularly in swing states, as the cultural debate unfolds.
4. Scenario Refinement:
   • Incorporate responses from states and international actors into future updates to assess the ripple effects of cultural and diplomatic tensions.