A group of House Republicans have introduced a bill to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after former President Donald Trump, symbolizing their allegiance to him. The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Michael Waltz, Andy Ogles, Chuck Fleischmann, Paul Gosar, Barry Moore, and Troy Nehls. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler expressed the sentiment that naming the airport after Trump would embody freedom, prosperity, and strength. The bill was introduced on Friday and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
It remains uncertain whether the resolution will progress to a formal vote on the House floor. If it were to pass the Republican-controlled lower chamber, it is likely to face opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate. At least eight U.S. airports are currently named after former presidents, including Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, and Bill & Hillary Clinton. Washington Dulles International Airport was originally named after former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles under President Eisenhower in 1962.
Interestingly, it was reported in 2020 that Trump had explored the idea of having an airport named after him. He also allegedly mentioned his desire to have his face on Mount Rushmore to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. While the idea of renaming an airport after a president is not a new concept, the move to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after Trump is seen as a symbolic gesture of loyalty to the former president by the group of House Republicans who co-sponsored the bill.
The bill to rename Washington Dulles International Airport is considered unlikely to become law due to the opposition it would face in the Democratic-controlled Senate. However, the symbolic gesture of renaming the airport after Trump speaks to the ongoing support among some Republicans for the former president. Whether the bill will progress further in the legislative process, or ultimately be rejected or allowed to die in committee, remains to be seen. The naming of airports after former presidents is a tradition in the United States, with several already in existence across the country.
