In early 2025, former President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America triggered widespread confusion and internal disruption within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)—the federal agency responsible for geographic naming conventions.
The announcement, made just weeks before Trump’s inauguration, blindsided USGS staff and prompted a flood of media inquiries. However, instead of offering clarification, the agency’s public affairs office instructed employees to “not respond at all” to journalists—a directive that went beyond the usual “no comment” and effectively instituted a media blackout. This silence frustrated reporters and raised concerns among transparency advocates, including the Society of Professional Journalists, which criticized the agency for “stonewalling” the press.
Internally, USGS officials scrambled to interpret the implications of the name change. Michael Tischler, director of the National Geospatial Program, questioned whether the rebrand applied to the entire gulf or only a portion of it. He even consulted with the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, though no formal international response was issued.
The chaos extended beyond the agency. Mapmakers, educators, and federal departments were left uncertain about how to implement the change. While some platforms like Google Maps began updating their labels, others resisted, citing international naming standards. Meanwhile, a bill sponsored by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene sought to codify the rebrand into law, passing the House but facing opposition in the Senate.
The episode highlighted the tension between political directives and scientific standards, as well as the challenges federal agencies face when navigating abrupt, high-profile changes. Despite the executive order, many institutions—including the USGS—continued using the traditional name in official communications, underscoring the complexity of renaming a globally recognized geographic feature.
Source: CNN
