Washington-Former US President Donald Trump took a big Decision on the first day of his second term and issued an executive order to rename Alaska’s Highest Mountain peak “Denali” to “mount Mckinley” This move is Rekindling the Decades-Old naming dispute between Alaska and Ohio.
Denali To Mount Mckinley: Reasons for Renaming – In 2015, President Barack Obama renamed This Mountain “Denali” Recognizing the cultural heritage of the natives of Alaska. Denali means “Great” or “High”, Which Symbolizes the cultural heritage of the Koyukon Athabascan tribe. However, Trump criticized this decision and tweeted in 2015, “Obama Changed the name of mouth Mckinley to Denali, which is a big insult Ohio. I will change it back”
Trump said in his inaugural address, “We will restore the name of mount Mckinley in honour of a great president, William Mckinley. He Strengthened our economy and made America Prosperous.”
Controversy and Criticism over naming-Alaska Republican Senator lisa Murkowski Opposed the decision, saying, Denali has been a name respected by the natives of Alaska for Thousands of years. This decision to change the name is a disrespect to their traditions and history.”
if we look at the history of the naming controversy, in 1896 an explorer named this peak after William Mckinley, who was a presidential candidate at the time. Mckinley had never visited Alaska, but this peak got recognition because of his name.
William Mckinley and Trump’s inspiration – William Mckinley, who was the 25th president of America from 1897 to 1901, was praised by Trump as “a great leader and skilled businessman”. Mckinley strengthened the American economy during his tenure through trade protection and tariff policies. Trump said, “Mckinley took America to new heights in trade and industrial development.”
Denali and Alaska’s environmental issues: Trump’s executive order only proposes to rename Denali, but also lifts the ban imposed by the Biden administration on oil and gas drilling near the Arctic Ocean. The decision is being described as a step towards better use of Alaska’s resources.
However, environmentalists disagree with this decision. Even when the Biden administration approved an oil project called Willog in 2023, environmental groups had protested against it.
Proposal to rename gulf of mexico
Along with the renaming of Denali, Trump also proposed to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as “Gulf of America”. However, This change can be technically and legally complex.