In a significant move on his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued executive orders to rename Alaska’s Denali, the tallest peak in North America, back to its original title of Mount McKinley, and also to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This decision is aimed at honoring the legacy of former President William McKinley, known for his pro-tariff policies and for his role in the expansion of U.S. territory after the Spanish-American War.

Trump stated, “We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley where it should be and where it belongs,” emphasizing the need to celebrate American greatness, according to an article from LA Times. Since 2015, the mountain had been officially recognized as Denali, a name that pays tribute to the Koyukon Athabascan people, who have lived in the region for centuries.

The name change order has faced backlash, even from within Trump's own party. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voiced her strong opposition, declaring, “I strongly disagree with the President’s decision on Denali. Our nation’s tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska’s Koyukon Athabascans,” as reported by Newsweek.

The historical context of this renaming is complex. The name Mount McKinley was first used in 1896 by a prospector and officially adopted by the federal government in 1917. The Koyukon Athabascan name, Denali, meaning “the Great One,” was formally recognized by the federal government in 2015 under President Barack Obama, who aimed to improve relations between the federal government and Native Americans. Furthermore, the park encompassing the mountain remains Denali National Park and Preserve, a compromise noted in Trump's order, as detailed by Forbes.

In addition to the mountain renaming, Trump directed that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America, citing a desire for rebranding as a response to immigration issues. Activist groups and local politicians have warned that such symbolic gestures distract from urgent national issues, with several environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, arguing that the name changes disregard the cultural heritage and preferences of the local populations.

Trump’s passion for McKinley stems from the former president’s economic policies, particularly the McKinley Tariff, which significantly raised tariffs on foreign goods. Trump's rhetoric often echoes these principles, including during a recent post-inauguration speech where he prioritized America-centric policies.

The ongoing debate surrounding these name changes highlights broader conversations about cultural identity, political power, and historical recognition, making it apparent that Trump's executive actions have reignited a long-standing regional and national dialogue on the proper representation of America’s natural landmarks. As federal agencies are given 30 days to revise official documentation to reflect these changes, the political implications continue to unfold.

For more information, visit the original source articles on The Guardian and LA Times.