In a surprising move following his election victory, President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” The proclamation, made on Tuesday, has swiftly garnered attention, prompting various lawmakers to rally behind the idea.

A “Beautiful Name” for the Gulf

“The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name,” Trump said during the announcement, expressing his enthusiasm for the proposed name change.

Shortly after Trump’s declaration, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., wasted no time in preparing legislation to formally enact the renaming. Greene expressed her commitment to introduce the measure “ASAP.” Within hours of the announcement, she released the text of the proposal, indicating it would be filed on Thursday morning.

Legislative Action on the Table

The proposal reads, “The Gulf of Mexico shall be known as the ‘Gulf of America,’” and calls for updates to federal documents and maps to reflect the intended name change. Greene elaborated on her rationale, stating, “Mexican cartels currently use the Gulf of Mexico to traffic humans, drugs, weapons, and God knows what else while the Mexican government allows them to do it.”

She continued, “The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the maritime waterways for commerce to be conducted. Our U.S. armed forces protect the area from any military threats from foreign countries. It’s our gulf. The rightful name is the Gulf of America and it’s what the entire world should refer to it as,” signaling her firm belief in the proposal’s importance.

Greene assured constituents and supporters that the bill was prepared with legislative counsel and would be filed promptly.

Support from Other Lawmakers

The reaction from fellow Republican lawmakers has been overwhelmingly positive, with several jumping on the “Gulf of America” bandwagon. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., took to social media to invite followers to “visit our beautiful district and take a dip in the Gulf of AMERICA!”

Additionally, Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., proudly tweeted, “Proud to represent Alabama’s First District on the beautiful GULF OF AMERICA.” This sentiment was echoed by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who remarked how vital the Gulf and Gulf Coast are for the nation, asserting that the “Gulf of AMERICA sounds pretty good to me.”

Potential Implications of the Name Change

The implications of the proposed renaming extend beyond mere semantics. Supporters argue that this change aims to reinforce American sovereignty over its waters and combat drug trafficking activities linked to cartel operations in the area. Critics, however, might view the move as an election-related gimmick lacking substantive policy changes.

As Trump prepares to take office in less than two weeks, the proposal sets the stage for a broader discussion about American identity and the symbolism of geographical names, which have often been reflective of a country’s perceptions and priorities.

Looking Towards Inauguration

Trump is set to be inaugurated on January 20, marking the beginning of his term. As he embarks on this new chapter of leadership, his administration’s focus on identity and nationalism appears evident through such proclamations.

This proposed change showcases not only the administration’s commitment to contentious issues but also highlights the overall tone of policy direction likely to be seen in the upcoming years. How this initiative will unfold in legislative terms remains to be seen, but the initiative surely captures an essential element of Trump’s political ethos—patriotism.