Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness

January 20, 2025

Presidential Actions

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Action Summary

Purpose and Policy: Establishes a national priority to honor American heroes by naming and renaming national treasures, such as natural wonders and historic works of art, to celebrate the nation’s heritage.
U.S. Board on Geographic Names Appointments: Requires agency heads to review and potentially replace current appointees within seven days; the Secretary of the Interior is tasked with considering additional appointments and ensuring that naming policies honor patriotic contributions.
Renaming of Mount McKinley: Directs the reinstatement of the name “Mount McKinley” within 30 days to honor President William McKinley’s legacy, while preserving Denali National Park and Preserve; includes collaboration with Alaska Native entities to adopt culturally significant landmark names.
Renaming of the Gulf of America: Orders the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” within 30 days, emphasizing its historical, economic, and strategic significance to the nation; mandates updates to federal records and maps to reflect this change.
Additional Action: Empowers the Secretary of the Interior to gather public and intergovernmental input on further names honoring American patriots, with recommendations forwarded to the President through the Assistant for Domestic Policy.
General Provisions: Affirms that the order does not impair the authority of executive departments or the Office of Management and Budget, is subject to legal and appropriations constraints, and does not create enforceable rights.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order’s focus on renaming national landmarks and geographic features to honor American historical figures may lead to public debates and controversies, particularly if the changes are perceived as politically motivated or if they disregard local cultural and historical contexts.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider the implications of these changes on its research and educational programs, especially those related to American history, geography, and cultural studies. The renaming of significant landmarks could affect the content and focus of academic courses and research projects.
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America could have implications for environmental and marine research conducted by the university, as well as for partnerships with organizations and institutions in the region. This change may require updates to research materials, maps, and publications.
There is a potential risk of alienating certain communities, particularly indigenous groups, if their historical and cultural ties to these landmarks are not adequately considered or respected in the renaming process.

Impacted Programs

Department of History at Vanderbilt may need to adjust its curriculum to reflect the changes in the naming of historical landmarks and geographic features, ensuring that students are informed about the latest developments in American historical narratives.
Environmental and Earth Sciences Programs might be impacted by the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, as it could affect ongoing research projects, data collection, and collaborations with other institutions focused on marine and environmental studies.
The Office of Community Engagement could play a role in facilitating discussions and collaborations with local and indigenous communities to ensure that their perspectives and histories are considered in the renaming process.
Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies program may find new opportunities to analyze and engage with the policy implications of such executive orders, providing students with real-world examples of how federal actions can impact local and national narratives.

Financial Impact

The renaming of significant geographic features may require updates to educational materials, maps, and publications, potentially incurring additional costs for the university.
Changes in the naming of landmarks could affect funding opportunities for research projects, particularly those related to American history and geography, as new narratives and focuses emerge.
Vanderbilt University may need to allocate resources to engage with local communities and stakeholders to address any concerns or controversies arising from the renaming process, ensuring that the university maintains positive relationships with these groups.
There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and educational initiatives that explore the impacts of these changes on American cultural and historical narratives, particularly in collaboration with federal agencies and other academic institutions.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential impacts on academic programs and community relations.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Department of History should consider developing research projects or courses that explore the historical significance of geographic names and their impact on national identity. This could enhance the department’s academic offerings and attract students interested in American history and cultural studies.
The Office of Federal Relations should monitor any changes in federal naming conventions and geographic designations, as these could influence research funding opportunities or collaborations with federal agencies.
Vanderbilt’s Environmental and Energy Policy Program could explore the economic and environmental implications of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This research could provide valuable insights into regional economic development and environmental policy.
The Center for Latin American Studies should assess the potential diplomatic and cultural impacts of renaming the Gulf of Mexico, considering the historical and geopolitical relationships with Mexico and other Gulf nations.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Law to engage in legal analysis and discussions regarding the implications of geographic renaming on international law and treaties. This could position the school as a leader in legal scholarship on international relations and territorial law.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on American heritage by hosting conferences or public forums on the significance of geographic names in shaping national identity. This could enhance the university’s reputation as a center for cultural and historical discourse.
The emphasis on honoring American heroes and patriots aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The university can develop programs or initiatives that celebrate diverse contributions to American history, fostering a more inclusive academic environment.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order suggests some adjustments to academic and research programs to align with national heritage initiatives.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.6

Timeline for Implementation

Within 7 days of January 20, 2025: Agency heads must review their Board on Geographic Names appointees.
Within 30 days of January 20, 2025: The Secretary of the Interior must reinstate the name “Mount McKinley” and rename the U.S. Continental Shelf area as the “Gulf of America.”

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

U.S. Board on Geographic Names: This order directly mandates that the Board update naming guidelines and process renamings, including its review of current appointees.
Department of the Interior: The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with replacing appointees, updating the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) for renamings (e.g., Mount McKinley and the Gulf of America), and coordinating with state and local entities.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): The order reaffirms that OMB’s functions related to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals remain intact, thereby impacting its oversight role.

Relevance Score: 2 (A moderate number of key Federal agencies are impacted by the order.)

Responsible Officials

Agency Heads with Appointments Authority – Tasked with reviewing their appointees to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names within seven days, ensuring that the Board reflects the administration’s vision as specified in Section 2.
Secretary of the Interior – Charged with reviewing and recommending additional appointments to the Board, overseeing the updating of the Geographic Names Information System for the renaming measures, renaming Mount McKinley, and taking actions to rename the Gulf of America, as outlined in Sections 2, 3, and 4; additionally coordinating with Alaska Native entities and relevant organizations as specified.
Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy – To receive recommendations from the Secretary of the Interior regarding additional patriotic honorees, as directed in Section 5.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect high-level officials including Cabinet-level officials and agency heads.)