Murkowski, Sullivan, buck Trump, push to rename Mount McKinley, Denali
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has reintroduced a measure to designate the tallest mountain in North America as Denali, following President Donald Trump’s decision to change its name back to Mount McKinley. Sen. Dan Sullivan is the original cosponsor of the bill.
“In Alaska, it’s Denali,” Murkowski stated in a press release. She emphasized the significance of the mountain, known as “The Great One” by the Koyukon Athabascans, and highlighted the longstanding advocacy by Alaskans to recognize it by its true name.
President Trump, on his first day in office, issued an executive order to rename the mountain from Denali to Mount McKinley in honor of President William McKinley. The order stated that the name change in 2015 by President Obama’s administration was seen as an affront to President McKinley’s legacy.
The controversy over the mountain’s name has been ongoing for years, with Murkowski actively involved in the debate. She has previously introduced measures regarding the name of the mountain, including one in 2015 with Sen. Sullivan as the original cosponsor.
Interior Sec. Sally Jewell changed the name back to Denali in 2015, which Trump vowed to reverse in a tweet. However, during a meeting with Murkowski and Sullivan, Trump reconsidered after the senators expressed their opposition to the name change.
Despite their differences, Murkowski was one of the GOP senators who voted to convict Trump after the House impeached him in 2021. The Senate vote ultimately failed to reach the required threshold for conviction.
The issue of the mountain’s name continues to be a point of contention, with Murkowski and Sullivan advocating for its recognition as Denali. The bill introduced by Murkowski aims to officially establish the mountain’s quintessential name and honor its cultural significance in Alaska.
In conclusion, the debate over the name of the mountain highlights the intersection of politics, culture, and history. Murkowski and Sullivan’s efforts to designate the mountain as Denali reflect the deep connection that Alaskans have with this iconic landmark.
