President Obama announced Sunday he is issuing an executive order to rename Mount McKinley, reinstating its original native Alaskan name, Denali.
The White House said the renaming of North America’s highest mountain peak honors the “sacred status” of Denali to Alaskan natives who hold it as a “site of significant cultural importance.”
The mountain has spoken ? Mt McKinley officially renamed Denali: http://t.co/VSN2vl7yZo Congrats, Alaska! pic.twitter.com/ZdRTJ2PEHL
— US Dept of Interior (@Interior) August 30, 2015
The announcement caused immediate waves on Twitter as critics of the decision noted the historic importance of the mountain’s previous namesake, President William McKinley, while supporters lauded Obama’s move as a recognition of native Alaskan culture.
I’m disappointed with the Administration’s decision to change the name of Mt. McKinley in Alaska (1/5) — Rob Portman (@senrobportman) August 31, 2015
Pres McKinley was a proud Ohioan, and the mountain was named after him, as a way to remember his rich legacy after his assassination (2/5)
— Rob Portman (@senrobportman) August 31, 2015
The naming of the mountain has been a topic of discussion in Congress for many years (3/5) — Rob Portman (@senrobportman) August 31, 2015
This decision by the Administration is yet another example of the President going around Congress (4/5)
— Rob Portman (@senrobportman) August 31, 2015
I urge Admin 2 work w/ me 2 find alternative ways 2 preserve McKinley’s legacy somewhere else in the natl park that once bore his name (5/5) — Rob Portman (@senrobportman) August 31, 2015
Today we are honored to recognize America’s highest peak officially as Denali, or ‘The Great One.’ http://t.co/lxd3HKAOBo
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) August 30, 2015
pic.twitter.com/PFCaP9I0eX — Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) August 30, 2015
#Denali, the “Great One” comes home. pic.twitter.com/8lzX117Exr
— SenDanSullivan (@SenDanSullivan) August 31, 2015
My full statement on @POTUS ignoring an Act of Congress and changing the name of Mount McKinley. pic.twitter.com/nsLLOiUBU8 — Rep. Bob Gibbs (@RepBobGibbs) August 31, 2015
Today, the nation recognizes what AK’ns have known for generations #Denali is rightful name 4 NAmerica’s tallest mtn pic.twitter.com/WodYOkEl7D
— Rep. Don Young (@repdonyoung) August 31, 2015
As POTUS once again oversteps his bounds, Ohio knows every carnation is a monument to our own William McKinley. -John pic.twitter.com/GvQfqnIKOh — John Kasich (@JohnKasich) August 31, 2015
Generations of Alaskans, Alaska Natives hold Denali sacred. Time to honor its original name.SJ http://t.co/eD80BNJKTg pic.twitter.com/mS3kFiLoST
— Sally Jewell (@SecretaryJewell) August 30, 2015
1. Out: Mount McKinley; in: Mount Denali 2. Out: Animas River; in: Obama River pic.twitter.com/BxWZHSke92 — David Burge (@iowahawkblog) August 31, 2015
I don’t really care much what they call Denali/McKinley, but since when do presidents have this unilateral power?
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) August 31, 2015
“The Alaska government first petitioned the Interior Department to change the name #denali http://t.co/QK3oKOgABD pic.twitter.com/OzMw4RPdI8 — Cstar1 (@Cstar1) August 31, 2015
As a compromise, why not name a mountain in Ohio after William McKinley? https://t.co/hhsmjnyerL
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) August 31, 2015
Dramatic vista from the highest peak in Ohio, which we could rename after Pres. McKinley? https://t.co/eaNvqeuKrw pic.twitter.com/p1SQi4EmXB — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) August 30, 2015
#McKinley led victory in Spanish-American War, protected American industry, took bullet for nation. Obama knives him: http://t.co/FjhLNNUXsn
— Michael Johns (@michaeljohns) August 31, 2015
I’ve been to Alaska a few times now and never heard any local call it “McKinley.” (Also, they are VERY TIRED of Russia jokes.) — daveweigel (@daveweigel) August 31, 2015
Just issued statement from @SpeakerBoehner says he’s “deeply disappointed” in Pres Obama’s decision to rename Mt McKinley.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 31, 2015
Boehner says McKinley “led this nation to prosperity and victory in the Spanish-American War” & deserves that peak was named for him. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 31, 2015
Mt. McKinley may be history but 25th POTUS is still memorialized in Pavilion IV, East Lawn @UVA. pic.twitter.com/eDrxYIwZ6u
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) August 31, 2015
Feds cite 1947 law as Obama changes name of Mt McKinley in Alaska http://t.co/YZnL4CnCX9 pic.twitter.com/DXCqjjlQrV — Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) August 31, 2015
Obama is never gonna need Ohio’s electoral votes again http://t.co/jMEpIffx3O
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) August 30, 2015
Ohio, relax. It’s not your mountain. It doesn’t mean you’re not awesome. You still have the Akutaqs! Er, Buckeyes! ? http://t.co/3hYHZuqlOR — Christopher Gorham (@ChrisGorham) August 31, 2015
Why did Pres Obama change the name of Mt McKinley-why not let the people decide?
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) August 30, 2015
Ah, #Denali – as it should be. Thanks #ObamaAK pic.twitter.com/RjA4K6OmrF — Shannyn Moore (@shannynmoore) August 31, 2015
Need Boulevard of Broken Dreams but with Alexander Hamilton & William McKinley.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) August 31, 2015
Interesting, @nytimes changed their headline, “Mt. McKinley will be renamed Denali” to “Mt. McKinley will again be called Denali”#thatsright — Dr. Adrienne K. (@NativeApprops) August 31, 2015
These seemingly subtle words carry a lot of power. This isn’t a “re-naming,” it’s an acknowledgement of the Indigenous place name. #Denali
— Dr. Adrienne K. (@NativeApprops) August 31, 2015
If Alaskans call it #Denali and there’s currently a bill in Congress to rename it, why is executive action necessary? #MtMcKinley — Zoë (@zoyarae) August 31, 2015
McKinley Presidental Library just glad people are finally talking about him http://t.co/OhlUKOoEXs pic.twitter.com/Il9MHDZCax
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) August 31, 2015
Obama officially renaming “Mt McKinley” to “Denali” is a political stunt tryna boost advertisements for Government Motors in Detroit fam — Wu-Tang Financial (@Wu_Tang_Finance) August 31, 2015
Frankly, I’m disappointed we’re naming one of the world’s wonders for a gas-guzzling environment destroyer. #smdh #suvs #co2 #GlobalWarming
— Sonny Bunch (@SonnyBunch) August 30, 2015
Then: Denali Recently: McKinkey Now: Denali For eons eternal: a stone giant unaware of the chirps of hairless ape men & their nomenclature — Old Hoss Radbourn (@OldHossRadbourn) August 30, 2015