U.S. President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” sparking mixed reactions among Americans. In response, Democratic representatives from New York and Michigan introduced the Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act to reverse the name change and prevent future alterations to any of the Great Lakes.
This move comes after Google renamed Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on its mapping service, causing controversy. Trump also reportedly approached Apple to make a similar change on Apple Maps, although MapQuest has stated it will retain the original name.
Representative Kennedy, who hails from Buffalo and borders Canada, discussed the bill with The Current’s host, expressing the need to reverse the executive order swiftly. He criticized Trump’s actions, labeling them as distractions from more pressing issues like tariffs and international relations.
Kennedy emphasized the strong historical and cultural ties between the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the importance of the trade partnership and shared border. He underscored the unity and interconnectedness between the two countries in various aspects, including economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.
Regarding the bill’s prospects in the House, Kennedy noted previous bipartisan support for measures opposing Trump’s policies, indicating a potential shift in the upcoming elections. He expressed confidence in the American people’s response to address what he views as detrimental governance under the current administration, anticipating a Democratic resurgence in the midterms.
