Ordered restoration of Mount McKinley name, reversing Denali designation

Founders' Principles Violated

W

Washington

Personal ambition overriding institutional stability.

J

Jefferson

Government actions that restrict liberty and public access to information.

M

Madison

Checks & balances bypassed. Executive action without Congressional authority.

Guardrails Violated

Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage protection and preservation requirements bypassed.

Administrative Process

Administrative process and procedural requirements for agency actions bypassed.

Checks and Balances

Constitutional checks and balances between branches of government bypassed.

Why Level 2?

Disproportional escalation: Reversing established geographic naming without proper consideration. Multiple guardrails bypassed: cultural heritage, administrative process, executive precedent. Measurable harm to Alaska Native cultural recognition.

What Happened

Context

President Trump signed executive order on January 20, 2025, ordering the restoration of the name 'Mount McKinley' for Alaska's highest peak, reversing the 2015 Obama administration decision to rename it Denali.

Action Taken

Signed executive order on January 20, 2025 ordering the restoration of the name 'Mount McKinley' for Alaska's highest peak, reversing the 2015 Obama administration decision to rename it Denali. The order directs the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to restore the Mount McKinley designation. Critics argue the change disregards Alaska Native heritage and the mountain's traditional name. The name Denali had been used by Alaska Natives for centuries and was officially recognized in 2015.

In His Own Words

"Mount McKinley is the proper name for this great American peak."

"We will restore the traditional name."

"The Obama administration's change was wrong."

What's Wrong

Executive order reversing geographic name change that had been made through proper administrative process. The name Denali had been used by Alaska Natives for centuries and was officially recognized in 2015. Critics argue the change disregards Alaska Native heritage and cultural significance. The order appears to be motivated by reversing Obama-era decisions rather than geographic or cultural considerations.

Impact

Cultural: Disregards Alaska Native heritage and traditional name usage. Institutional: Reverses established geographic naming without proper process. Operational: Requires changes to maps, signage, and official documents. Political: Appears motivated by reversing Obama-era decisions rather than geographic considerations.

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