Rep. Dingell introduces legislation to block Trump's Lake Ontario executive order

Published August 27, 2026 10:13 PM EDT

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 19: Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chair Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), accompanied by Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) (L), speaks during a news conference after House Democrats' Leaders

Following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Interior will now refer to Lake Ontario as Lake America. Now, House Democrats are looking for ways to reverse this decision.

Rep. Debbie Dingell responds to Trump order

What they're saying:

Rep. Debbie Dingell, who represents Michigan's 6th District, announced on social media that she was introducing legislation to keep Lake Ontario as Lake Ontario following President Trump's executive order to rename it to Lake America. 

"The Great Lakes are a shared treasure that generations of Americans and Canadians have worked together to protect," Dingell wrote. "That’s why I’m introducing legislation to keep Lake Ontario as Lake Ontario and block President Trump’s idiotic order."

Lake Ontario renamed

The president's renaming of one of the five Great Lakes comes amid an escalating spat with Canada as a trade war between the two neighboring countries resumed in August.

The updated name came a week after the president threatened to rename the lake amid a trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada.

"This is a lake that has most of its volume in the United States. The deepest parts of the lake sit in United States territory, so this reflect this is an American lake," Trump's aide said.

Canada-U.S. Trade War

Dig deeper:

The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs over the weekend on Canadian goods following the collapse of trade negotiations.

President Donald Trump intensified the confrontation Monday, telling Canadian leaders to "fall in line" or face consequences "far WORSE" than existing tariffs and threatening new 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts and steel.

On Tuesday, Canada struck back and announced retaliatory tariffs.

What's next:

The tariffs on American steel, dairy products, appliances, farm equipment, pulp and paper and electronics take effect Sept. 8 at rates of 15%, 25% and 50%, with Canada matching the corresponding U.S. tariff rate on each product.

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The Source: FOX 2 used information from Rep. Debbie Dingell and previous reporting for this story.

PoliticsWashington, D.C.MichiganU.S.-Canada Border