Gulf of America Day, 2025
President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation declaring February 9, 2025, as Gulf of America Day.
This declaration commemorates the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, reflecting the President's desire to restore American pride in its history and the significance of this geographical area.
This proclamation followed Executive Order 14172, which authorized the renaming and encouraged national recognition.
Arguments For
- Intended benefits: Celebrates a perceived restoration of American national pride and historical significance associated with the Gulf region.
- Evidence cited: References Executive Order 14172, which mandated the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
- Implementation methods: The proclamation itself declares February 9th as Gulf of America Day, encouraging public observances.
- Legal/historical basis: The proclamation is based on the President's authority under the Constitution and laws of the United States, citing Executive Order 14172 and 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f.
Arguments Against
- Potential impacts: The renaming may be seen as arbitrary, historically inaccurate, and potentially costly to update maps, documents, and other materials.
- Implementation challenges: Widespread public acceptance and adoption of the new name might be challenging, requiring extensive educational campaigns and efforts.
- Alternative approaches: Alternative methods of celebrating the Gulf region's importance could have been pursued without changing the name.
- Unintended effects: The renaming could create confusion and complicate international relations. It could also overshadow efforts to address environmental challenges affecting the Gulf region.
Presidential Actions
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Today, I am very honored to recognize February 9, 2025, as the first ever Gulf of America Day.
On January 20, 2025, I signed Executive Order 14172 ("Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness"). Among other actions, that Executive Order required the Secretary of the Interior, acting pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f, to “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 State 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.”
I took this action in part because, as stated in that Order, “[t]he 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.”
Today, I am making my first visit to the Gulf of America since its renaming. As my Administration restores American pride in the history of American greatness, it is fitting and appropriate for our great Nation to come together and commemorate this momentous occasion and the renaming of the Gulf of America.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 9, 2025, as Gulf of America Day. I call upon public officials and all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
This presidential proclamation announces February 9, 2025, as the first "Gulf of America Day." It justifies the declaration by referencing Executive Order 14172, which renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and emphasizes the historical and national importance of the Gulf region.
The proclamation formally establishes the day for commemoration, urging public officials and citizens to participate in suitable events.
The President is asserting his constitutional power to issue this proclamation.