A Republican lawmaker has come under fire for tweeting that he intends to rename the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as the “Donald John Trump Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States.” Congressman Greg Steube said he would introduce a bill to that effect in honor of Trump’s “several commendable actions for our oceans.” Steube added that such a move would remind future generations of Mr. Trump’s many positive contributions to the United States.
The US Exclusive Economic Zone stretches around 200 nautical miles from the coast and affords sovereign rights to the US for “exploring, exploiting, conserving and managing natural resources.”
Several Twitter users responded ridiculing the Floridian, with some suggesting the Republican Party become a Donald Trump “cult.” Others questioned why renaming the EEZ is a priority for the Congressman and accused the GOP of caring more about “Trump’s ego” than the concerns of everyday Americans.
The idea follows a similar proposal in April when Republicans called for Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia to become the Donald J. Trump International Airport. It would join several US airports named after former Presidents, including John F. Kennedy in New York, the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, and the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler filed the bill, which was referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for consideration.
Rep. Steube’s gesture coincided with Mr. Trump’s 78th birthday, which he celebrated with a party at his Mar-a-Lago estate attended by 5,000 people. Democrats marked the event by publishing a sarcastic campaign video noting 78 of Trump’s “accomplishments,” which included his many legal battles, prior proposals to cut social security and Medicare, and Congressional losses during his first term. Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer said his birthday gift was “making sure you’re never President again.”
The former President traveled to Washington, DC, for the first time since January 6, and GOP Congress members greeted him with an American flag cake adorned with 45 candles.
