Key facts
- President Donald Trump suggested renaming New Mexico to "New America."
- New Mexicans and politicians from both parties rejected the proposal.
- Critics view the suggestion as an attempt to erase history and culture.
- The White House has not publicly responded to the criticism.
New Mexicans have largely derided President Donald Trump's suggestion to rename the Democratic-run state "New America," viewing the proposal as an attempt to erase history and culture and a distraction from pressing domestic and foreign policy issues. Trump made the suggestion on his Truth Social platform, following similar renaming proposals for a lake and a gulf.
Over a dozen New Mexicans interviewed by Reuters expressed opposition, with many seeing the proposal as racist or an attack on their heritage. Ethel Yazza, a potter from the Santa Clara and Picuris indigenous communities, stated, "Trump you are crazy, you will not take nothing from us." New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez emphasized the historical significance of the current name, saying, "New Mexico is a beautiful name, it's historic, it sounds beautiful, and New America does not."
Mexican American Jesus Trevizo Martinez viewed the proposal as racist, given that New Mexico has the highest proportion of Hispanic and Latino residents in the U.S. Others questioned why Trump was not targeting states like New York or New Jersey. Larry Cruz, a Trump voter, described the proposal as "frightening to the degree that it's trying to erase our history."
Politicians from both parties in New Mexico have rejected the idea. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham accused Trump of trying to distract from "his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring," and other concerns. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján also opposed the renaming, with Luján calling Trump a "sinvergüenza" and "corrupt." Even Republican gubernatorial nominee Greg Hull denounced the suggestion, stating the state's identity is "not up for negotiation."
The U.S. federal government does not have the authority to change a state's name; such a move would require an amendment to the state constitution approved by New Mexico voters.