Ohioans are concerned the name of a wildlife preserve will create an unjust tie to President Donald Trump.
In March, Ohio's Division of Wildlife recommended an alternative name for the Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area south of Columbus: "Trump wildlife preserve." The name was one of more than a dozen proposed as part of a rule review required at least every five years, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The proposition has been met with backlash online, as some believe the name insinuates a connection to the president or downplays the importance of the man who donated the land, whom it is named after.
"This change sends an obvious partisan message. In the current political climate, removing 'Charles O.' and elevating only 'Trump' is not a neutral administrative cleanup," a Reddit user posted in the Ohio sub-Reddit in March. "It reads as a political branding decision, whether (the Ohio Department of Natural Resources) intends that or not. Public wildlife lands should not be used to send coded partisan messages."
Another Reddit user said: "I strongly oppose the proposal ... This is a partisan political act, and not a proper purpose for the use of public lands; this is not China, Russia or North Korea."
