GOP Senators Challenge Trump’s Name Change for Mount McKinley, Advocate for Denali Restoration

GOP Senators Challenge Trump’s Name Change for Mount McKinley, Advocate for Denali Restoration

In a recent development, following a controversial executive move by President Donald Trump to officially designate the tallest mountain in North America as Mount McKinley, Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, has taken action to restore the mountain’s original name, Denali. Together with Senator Dan Sullivan, also a Republican from Alaska, she has reintroduced a measure aimed at establishing Denali as the mountain’s permanent designation.

Continued Advocacy for Denali

Senator Murkowski made her stance clear during a press release, stating, “In Alaska, it’s Denali.” She emphasizes the cultural significance of the mountain, remarking that once individuals experience its grandeur in person, they appreciate why the Koyukon Athabascans refer to it as “The Great One.” She conveyed that the matter transcends politics, asserting that Alaskans from various backgrounds have long sought recognition of the mountain by its true name.

Trump’s Executive Order

On his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order that reversed the Obama-era decision to recognize Denali and reinstated the name Mount McKinley. This decision paid tribute to President William McKinley, who served as President of the United States until his assassination in 1901.

The executive order stated, “In 1917, the country officially honored President McKinley through the naming of North America’s highest peak. Yet after nearly a century, President Obama’s administration, in 2015, stripped the McKinley name from federal nomenclature, an affront to President McKinley’s life, his achievements, and his sacrifice.” This policy change aimed to correct what Trump viewed as a historical oversight.

Details of the Executive Directive

In issuing the order, Trump mandated the Interior Secretary to restore the name Mount McKinley to the mountain. The order specified that the Geographic Names Information System, which maintains official records of geographic names in the United States, would be updated accordingly to reflect this renaming.

Additionally, while the mountain would now be referred to as Mount McKinley, the surrounding national park would retain its original designation as Denali National Park and Preserve. This juxtaposition highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the name’s legitimacy and cultural relevance.

Broader Implications of Name Changes

It is noteworthy that the Trump administration’s directive not only pertained to Mount McKinley but also included plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. This decision drew attention to the administration’s broader approach to historical and cultural names across the United States.

Long-standing Controversy

The dispute over the name of North America’s highest peak has persisted for over a century, with Senator Murkowski playing a significant role in this ongoing conversation for more than ten years. Previous efforts to change the mountain’s name have included a proposal in 2015, in which Senator Sullivan co-sponsored the legislation advocating for the name change to Denali.

The Interior Secretary at the time, Sally Jewell, issued an order to officially change the mountain’s name from Mount McKinley to Denali during President Barack Obama’s administration in 2015. This legislation was met with backlash from some, notably Trump, who decried it as an insult to Ohio, McKinley’s home state. In an August 2015 tweet, Trump asserted, “President Obama wants to change the name of Mt. McKinley to Denali after more than 100 years. Great insult to Ohio. I will change back!”

Reactions from the Senate

Trump’s discussions about potentially changing the name back to Mount McKinley while meeting with Senators Murkowski and Sullivan showcased a candid exchange. Senator Sullivan, whose wife is Athabascan, reflected on their conversation that took place in 2017. Sullivan recounted his warning to Trump that reinstating the Mount McKinley name would upset his wife, illustrating the personal stakes involved in this naming dispute.

“If you change that name back now, she’s going to be really, really mad,” Sullivan recounted telling Trump. In response, Trump seemed to acknowledge the concern, reportedly affirming, “all right, we won’t do that.” This anecdote underscores the complex interplay between political decisions and deeply rooted cultural sentiments.

Political Dynamics and Historical Context

Senator Murkowski’s political history is also relevant to this dialogue. She was among the Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump after the House impeached him following the events at the U.S. Capitol in 2021. However, the Senate’s subsequent vote fell short of meeting the necessary threshold for conviction, further complicating the political landscape surrounding these discussions.

Resilience in Advocacy

As the debate continues, Senator Murkowski’s commitment to advocating for Denali reflects broader themes of cultural identity and historical recognition. The movement to revert the mountain’s name transcends party lines and speaks to the importance of honoring indigenous heritage and the historical narratives tied to America’s vast landscapes.

Whether the legislative measure co-sponsored by Murkowski and Sullivan will successfully restore Denali as the mountain’s official name remains uncertain. However, the ongoing dialogue surrounding this issue sheds light on the intricate relationships between geography, history, and identity in the United States.