In a whirlwind of activity on his first day back in office, Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename both the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska's Denali. The Gulf of Mexico will now be known as the Gulf of America, while Denali, North America's highest peak, will revert to its previous name, Mount McKinley. This change, as stated in the executive order previewed by The Guardian, is intended to honor "American greatness."

According to the order, the renaming process will task Doug Burgum, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior and current Governor of North Dakota, with updating federal communications and maps to reflect these new names. The executive order specifically states, "President McKinley is honored for giving his life for our great nation," emphasizing a historical perspective on the namesake.

However, the response has not been universally positive. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was among the first to express her discontent, stating she "strongly disagrees" with renaming Denali to Mount McKinley. In a post on X, she emphasized that the mountain has been known as Denali for thousands of years, a name bestowed by the Koyukon Athabascans who have lived in the region for generations. The Senator's words echo a broader feeling among many Alaskans; another Alaskan Senator, Dan Sullivan, also supports retaining the name Denali as a recognition of the Indigenous culture.

This renaming initiative has sparked discussions on the political implications for Trump. While he begins his second term with robust support in Congress, backlash from his party could pose challenges in passing parts of his legislative agenda, especially as tensions rise around this early decision. National discourse surrounding the executive order contrasts sharply, as critics argue the name changes may serve more as political gestures rather than meaningful acknowledgments of history.

The Gulf of Mexico name change has its own controversial context, with Trump previously suggesting it was a reaction to immigration issues from Mexico. During Trump's inauguration ceremony, laughter broke out upon hearing the new name proposed for the Gulf, highlighting the controversial undertones surrounding it.

Trump has a long-standing admiration for William McKinley, which informs his enthusiasm for the name change. He has previously praised McKinley for his legacy and business acumen, viewing him as a successful figure in American history. Meanwhile, the name change of Denali, originally renamed by President Obama in 2015, has been a contentious topic, as it rectified historical injustices by honoring the mountain's Indigenous name.

Federal agencies have been given a 30-day window to implement these changes, potentially leading to legislative efforts to formalize them into U.S. law. The ongoing discussions surrounding Trump’s executive orders reveal a complex intersection of history, politics, and identity. For more insights, refer to Newsweek.