Amid the day-one flurry of executive orders to kick off his second term in the White House, President Trump restored the historic name of Mount McKinley to the tallest mountain in North America. The order reverses a 2015 Obama-era order that stripped the name and replaced it with Denali.
Trump’s order provides context into why he made this decision, which he says will help “ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes.
“The naming of our national treasures, including breathtaking natural wonders and historic works of art, should honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans in our Nation’s rich past,” Trump’s order observes.
EXECUTIVE ORDER HIGHLIGHTS
President William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, heroically led our Nation to victory in the Spanish-American War. Under his leadership, the United States enjoyed rapid economic growth and prosperity, including an expansion of territorial gains for the Nation. President McKinley championed tariffs to protect U.S. manufacturing, boost domestic production, and drive U.S. industrialization and global reach to new heights. He was tragically assassinated in an attack on our Nation’s values and our success, and he should be honored for his steadfast commitment to American greatness.
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 order honors President McKinley for giving his life for our great Nation and dutifully recognizes his historic legacy of protecting America’s interests and generating enormous wealth for all Americans.
Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall, consistent with 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f, reinstate the name “Mount McKinley.” The Secretary shall subsequently update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the renaming and reinstatement of Mount McKinley. The national park area surrounding Mount McKinley shall retain the name Denali National Park and Preserve.
The Secretary of the Interior shall work with Alaska Native entities and state and local organizations to adopt names for landmarks to honor the history and culture of the Alaskan people.
GULF OF AMERICA
In the same executive order, Trump also renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Below is his rationale.
The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America. The Gulf was a crucial artery for America’s early trade and global commerce.
It is the largest gulf in the world, and the United States coastline along this remarkable body of water spans over 1,700 miles and contains nearly 160 million acres. Its natural resources and wildlife remain central to America’s economy today. The bountiful geology of this basin has made it one of the most prodigious oil and gas regions in the world, providing roughly 14% of our Nation’s crude-oil production and an abundance of natural gas, and consistently driving new and innovative technologies that have allowed us to tap into some of the deepest and richest oil reservoirs in the world.
The Gulf is also home to vibrant American fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crab, and other species, and it is recognized as one of the most productive fisheries in the world, with the second largest volume of commercial fishing landings by region in the Nation, contributing millions of dollars to local American economies.
The Gulf is also a favorite destination for American tourism and recreation activities. Further, the Gulf is a vital region for the multi-billion-dollar U.S. maritime industry, providing some of the largest and most impressive ports in the world.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy, and in recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation’s economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America.
As such, within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall, consistent with 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f, take all appropriate actions to rename as the “Gulf of America” the U.S. Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba in the area formerly named as the Gulf of Mexico. The Secretary shall subsequently update the GNIS to reflect the renaming of the Gulf and remove all references to the Gulf of Mexico from the GNIS, consistent with applicable law. The Board shall provide guidance to ensure all federal references to the Gulf of America, including on agency maps, contracts, and other documents and communications shall reflect its renaming.
11 Comments
Thank you, President Trump!
Y’all voted for President Criminal. This naming nonsense is nothing compared to the pain he will impose on you, your neighbors, community and anyone not a white male billionaire.
I’m hardly a white male billionaire, Jeff, but I’m kind of enjoying seeing sissies like you squirm over such largely inconsequential nonsense right about now. Y’know, this might just be a fine time for you to find your inner Canadian.
You will never be a real woman, Sammy.
The naming silliness is a meaningless distraction. What makes me a squirming sissy is that MAGA owns the White House, the House, the Senate, the judiciary and the media. All those formerly trustworthy institutions shudder and hide from the wrath of Voldemort. Convicted Felon Trump intimidates every leader of those institutions, and to avoid death threats, stalking, and gun violence against themselves and families, they happily do his bidding, no matter how veiled. You’re just as screwed as I am Mr Sally. There should come a point (should have happened 9 years ago) when smart but reactionary conservatives like you will say, No More! Not sure what it will take for you to say “oops”, but it’s on its way.
And yet you voted for the one that had to pardon his own family for all crimes that would have led back to himself. You freaking hypocrite.
There are zero defensible assertions that Joe Biden and his family are connected to any crimes, except the Hunter Biden convictions. You got proof?
President Convict and his grifting spawn, however, … gawd, where to start.
It’s always been McKinley to me. I’ve gotten into some arguments with close friends of living here for 55 years. Sorry it ain’t Denali I know Denali means the great one. It is Mt. McKinley period
Well, I’m hardly a while male billionaire either but I don’t buy Aunt Sally’s assertion that the naming of a nation’s prominent geographical features is “largely inconsequential nonsense.” The spirit, energy, and aspirations of a nation are reflected in the appropriate naming of its significant geological features. This is no different from such naming of man made structures.
And I will still call it Denali ♂️
In my experience, you can tell the difference between a tourist and an Alaskan based on whether they call it Denali or McKinley.