Trump's Strait of Hormuz and Lake Ontario name ideas 'annoy' USGS workers

The suggestion by President Donald Trump to rename the Strait of Hormuz as the Trump Strait has caused frustration among US Geological Survey (USGS) employees. The USGS is responsible for overseeing map names at the federal level. Furthermore, the agency was ordered to refer to Lake Ontario as Lake America due to a trade disagreement with Canada.

One USGS worker expressed displeasure, stating that the constant name changes are unprecedented. Name changes typically require a vote at the US Board on Geographic Names, not an executive order. Despite previous precedents for such orders, the current Lake Ontario name change is particularly irritating for the employees who have to update signs, maps, and other references.

This work is causing additional strain and expense to the agency. Another complication is that both Apple and Google rely on USGS data for labeling their map software on billions of smartphones worldwide, which leads to further irritation and anger from the public. The USGS director, a Trump appointee, confirmed the name change in electronic documents but did not provide further comment.

The employees believe that the current political climate has led to irrational decision-making, and they question the motives behind Trump's actions, particularly his interest in changing the name of the Strait of Hormuz, which would only affect the US.