Executive Order 14172 establishes a policy to rename major geographic features to "honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans" as part of promoting what the order characterizes as the nation's "extraordinary heritage." The order frames these naming changes as serving the national interest by ensuring future generations celebrate American heroes and positions geographic naming as an essential element of national identity and historical commemoration. It represents a significant shift from the previous administration's approach to geographic naming, particularly by explicitly reversing the 2015 Obama administration decision to rename Mount McKinley as Denali.
The order mandates two specific high-profile geographic name changes: returning the name "Mount McKinley" to North America's highest peak (currently called Denali) and renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." It directs agency heads to review and potentially replace their appointees to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names within seven days, granting the Secretary of the Interior authority to make additional appointments to the Board. The order requires implementation of the Mount McKinley name change within 30 days, while allowing the surrounding area to retain the name Denali National Park and Preserve. Similarly, it provides a 30-day timeline for the Secretary of the Interior to officially redesignate the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America across all federal documents, maps, and communications. The order extensively details President McKinley's accomplishments and characterizes the 2015 name change as "an affront" to his legacy.
Implementation responsibility falls primarily to the Secretary of the Interior, who must work through the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to execute these changes consistent with federal law (43 U.S.C. 364-364f) and update the Geographic Names Information System accordingly. The order also directs the Secretary to collaborate with Alaska Native entities and state and local organizations to adopt landmark names honoring Alaskan history and culture. Additionally, the Secretary may solicit public and intergovernmental input regarding other "patriots to honor" in preparation for America's semiquincentennial celebration and recommend further action to the President through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. The order explicitly frames these naming decisions as recognition of American economic achievement, territorial expansion, and national identity, suggesting that geographic nomenclature serves as a mechanism for promoting particular historical narratives about American development and values.