House Republican lawmakers are pushing to rename Washington DC’s international airport after former president Donald Trump, who is no stranger to having his name plastered onto the side of large buildings.
Rep Guy Rechenthaler of Pennsylvania introduced bill HR 7845, proposing changing the airport’s name to “Donald J Trump International Airport”. He believes that President Trump’s leadership made the nation greater, symbolizing freedom, prosperity, and strength.
The bill is co-sponsored by six other Republican lawmakers, but with the slim Republican majority in the House and Democrat majority in the Senate, it is unlikely to become law.
Democrats like Rep Gerry Connolly and Rep Don Beyer oppose the idea, citing Trump’s legal troubles and controversial policies. However, Philadelphia Democratic congressman Brendan Boyle supports the renaming, calling Dulles an “old, ugly airport” that could use a tribute to the former president.
Washington Dulles International Airport, currently named after John Foster Dulles, was opened in 1962 and serves as a major hub for international traffic in the Washington-Baltimore area. Despite the controversy, the proposal has sparked a debate on Trump’s legacy and the significance of renaming public infrastructure after a political figure.
As the debate continues, the future of Washington DC’s international airport and its potential renaming remains uncertain, reflecting the ongoing political divisions in the United States.