Payam Javan: President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Sunday declaring February 9 as the first-ever “Gulf of America Day,” following his executive order on January 20 to rename the Gulf of Mexico. Trump announced the declaration while flying over the renamed body of water aboard Air Force One during his trip to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. In his statement, the president said the renaming reflects his administration’s commitment to restoring “American pride” and called on public officials and citizens to commemorate the occasion with events and activities.

The executive order also directed the Department of Interior to rename Denali, North America’s tallest mountain, back to its original federal name, “Mount McKinley,” honoring the 25th U.S. president. The move has been met with resistance in Alaska, where the state Senate passed a resolution urging Trump to keep the name Denali, which holds deep cultural significance for indigenous Alaskans. Despite opposition, the U.S. Coast Guard quickly adopted the new name for the Gulf and pledged to increase its presence in the area to combat illegal migration and drug smuggling.

The Interior Department has endorsed Trump’s decision, emphasizing McKinley’s legacy, while Google announced plans to update its maps to reflect the name changes in the U.S., though other countries will continue to see the previous names. The renaming of both the Gulf of Mexico and Denali follows past efforts to redefine American landmarks, sparking debate over historical preservation and cultural recognition. While supporters hail the decision as a patriotic move, critics argue it disregards regional and historical context.