Get the app →
BriefTea logoBriefTea

Every story in sixty words

Explained in plain English

Can a President rename a lake?

In the US, renaming federal places usually involves an act of Congress or a decision by the US Board on Geographic Names. A President can issue an executive order, but its legal power to unilaterally rename a major geographical feature like Lake Ontario is highly debatable, especially when it borders another country.

Stories that explain this

Trump asked Apple to rename Lake Ontario 'Lake America'

Related explainers

Who owns Lake Ontario? Why did Apple get involved? Is this a common occurrence? Who is Colombia's new president? Can a congresswoman be president? Why do ex-presidents do this? Who is Iran's president? Why is the lake filling up?

The full catalogue

Browse every card filed under P →