Why are members of Trump’s own part being so petty?
On Thursday, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced a bill to permanently recognize North America’s highest peak by its traditional name, “Denali.” The bill seeks to require the use of Denali in all official U.S. records, maps, laws, and regulations, reversing the recent shift back to the name Mount McKinley, which former President Trump reinstated via executive order on his first day in office.
Senator Murkowski, who represents Alaska alongside junior Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), emphasized that this is not a political matter but one deeply rooted in Alaskan culture and heritage. “In Alaska, it’s Denali,” Murkowski said in a statement. “Once you stand before it and experience its towering presence, you understand why the Koyukon Athabascans called it ‘The Great One.’”
The mountain’s name change has been a source of contention for years. In 2015, the Obama administration officially restored the indigenous name Denali, a move supported by the state of Alaska, where local leaders and citizens had long advocated for the name’s return. However, President Trump, in keeping with his belief in honoring American history and leaders, issued an order reversing the decision, restoring Mount McKinley as the mountain’s title.
Trump’s decision to honor President William McKinley with the renaming stems from McKinley’s leadership on economic policies that promoted American industry, such as tariffs to protect U.S. manufacturing. Trump noted McKinley’s tragic assassination as a reason to honor his commitment to American greatness.
Alaska’s legislature has joined the conversation, urging President Trump and the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to maintain the Denali name. For many Alaskans, this bill represents a step towards preserving the legacy and cultural identity tied to their natural landmarks. Murkowski’s repeated efforts to introduce this bill show her dedication to ensuring that Denali remains a symbol of Alaska’s rich history and cultural significance.