Yes, President Donald Trump Has Renamed a Mountain

by

The debate on whether to change Denali back to its original name, Mount McKinley, has been reignited after President Donald Trump‘s executive order. This move has ignited fresh discussions about historical significance, Indigenous culture, and federal control. The mountain’s name holds a strong connection to both ancient traditions and the past presidency, making this topic a matter of national importance.

Let’s explore the background of the mountain’s name, delve into Trump’s reasons behind the decree, and understand why this action has ignited a broad debate among people.

Donald Trump renames ‘Denali’ to ‘Mount McKinley’

2025 finds me, the gaming enthusiast, thrilled at the news that Mountain McKinley, North America’s highest summit, has officially reverted to its original name, Denali. On this very day, President Trump put pen to paper, signing an executive order to restore the majestic peak’s long-standing title, a move that resonates deeply with me and fellow nature lovers everywhere.

For over a thousand years, the Alaskan Koyukon Athabascan tribe has called the towering peak Denali, which means “The Great One.” In 2015, President Barack Obama signed an order to rename Mount McKinley as Denali, thereby acknowledging and respecting the longstanding traditions of Alaska’s indigenous people.

Initially dubbed Mount McKinley by a gold prospector in 1896 as a tribute to presidential candidate William McKinley, this peak was recognized as such by the U.S. government in 1917, despite dissent from Alaskans and Native communities. However, it wasn’t until the Obama administration that Alaska’s request to rename it was granted.

Donald Trump defended the change by stating it was an homage to President McKinley, who advocated for tariffs that strengthened U.S. industrial production. McKinley, the 25th president, served from 1897 until his death in 1901. Trump’s decree ordered federal departments to amend their records to show the name Mountain McKinley, but Denali National Park and Preserve will retain its existing name.

The choice has faced criticism, even from Alaska’s congressional representatives. For instance, Senator Lisa Murkowski voiced her disagreement, emphasizing the mountain’s cultural relevance to Alaska’s Indigenous communities. Similarly, Senator Dan Sullivan argued for preserving the traditional name of Denali.

Donald Trump’s executive action also involved changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of the United States. It undid a number of environmental policies set by the Biden administration, such as reopening certain parts of the Beaufort Sea for oil extraction. Drilling in this region was prohibited via federal leasing since 2007.

Read More

2025-01-21 13:41