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, including disapproval from some members of the House of Representatives.
In response, Democratic representatives Tim Kennedy, Joe Morelle, and Debbie Dingell introduced the Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act. The legislation not only aims to reverse the renaming of Lake Ontario but also seeks to prevent any future renaming of the Great Lakes.
This move follows Google’s decision to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” on its mapping app for U.S. users, a change that stirred controversy. While reports surfaced that Trump contacted Apple to urge a similar change on Apple Maps, MapQuest publicly announced it would retain the original name.
Kennedy, representing a district bordering Canada, discussed the bill and the reasons behind opposing the name change with guest host Paul Hunter on The Current. He emphasized the need to rescind the executive order, citing it as a distraction from critical economic issues and strained relations with Canada.
Regarding concerns about Trump’s actions being perceived as mere trolling, Kennedy criticized the president’s behavior, labeling it as juvenile and dangerous. He highlighted the negative impact of Trump’s policies on the economy and emphasized the importance of holding the administration accountable.
Kennedy also emphasized the strong historical ties between the U.S. and Canada, noting the deep cultural and economic connections between the two countries. He underscored the importance of the trade partnership and the shared heritage, expressing a commitment to safeguarding the relationship despite political challenges.
With the upcoming elections, Kennedy expressed confidence that the American people would respond by electing a new House of Representatives majority to provide checks and balances on the administration. He highlighted the importance of bipartisan support to address critical issues and restore accountability in government.