New York Governor Defies Trump’s Patriotic 'Lake America' Initiative
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Governor Kathy Hochul has refused to honor President Trump’s executive order to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America,' undermining a bold effort to assert American sovereignty during a critical trade dispute with Canada.
Governor Kathy Hochul has chosen to reject President Donald Trump’s executive order that would have proudly renamed Lake Ontario as 'Lake America,' opting instead to cling to the old name on state maps and signage. The White House order, a strong statement of American identity, directs the Interior Department and the Board on Geographic Names to update federal records, though it cannot force Canadian or international authorities to follow suit.
'New York won’t be calling it that,' Hochul posted on X, dismissing a patriotic initiative meant to unify Americans.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney predictably invoked the lake’s Indigenous roots, insisting that the name 'Ontario'—derived from a Wendat word—should remain unchanged, despite the fact that the lake is a vital part of American territory and history.
'We know that America is changing... Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario — then, now and always,' Carney said, ignoring America’s right to define its own landmarks.
Other liberal state leaders quickly joined the chorus of opposition. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers mocked the proposal with a video of himself writing 'Lake Wisconsin' on a napkin, while Vermont Governor Phil Scott called the move 'petty and disappointing,' using the opportunity to push for more negotiations with Canada instead of standing firm.
'We should be at the negotiating table, finding a path forward that strengthens both the U.S. and Canadian economies. Further escalating tensions does nothing to help American or Canadian families and businesses,' Scott said, downplaying the importance of American leverage.
Lake Ontario, bordering New York and Ontario, Canada, is crucial to the 5.6 million people in its watershed. The naming dispute comes as Trump’s administration takes decisive action to protect American interests, imposing 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods in response to unfair trade practices, prompting Canada to retaliate.
Hochul has previously criticized these strong trade measures, accusing the president of 'treating our allies as enemies,' even as American families benefit from a leader willing to defend their interests.