President Donald Trump is set to officially change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, according to a recent announcement from the White House. Trump believes that this rebranding will project a more powerful image of the United States military on the global stage.
Although the department’s name is established in law, the President will use an executive order to authorize the adoption of the new moniker as a “secondary title.” This new label will be utilized in various contexts, including official correspondence, public communications, and ceremonial events, as outlined in a White House document. Terms like “Secretary of War” may also become standard usage within the executive branch.
While it remains unclear when Trump plans to sign the order, his scheduled activities for Friday include signing several executive orders and addressing the public from the Oval Office. The President, known for his marketing background, has indicated over recent weeks that he has been considering this change. He expressed that the current title of the Defense Department conveys a sense of defensiveness and recalled the historical significance of the Department of War, noting its association with American victories in both World Wars.
The White House document indicates that the name change is intended to “convey a stronger message of readiness and resolve.” Historically, the Department of War was responsible for overseeing the nation’s land forces during the early days of U.S. independence. The department evolved after World War II, merging with the Navy and Air Force under what became known as the National Military Establishment, renamed the Department of Defense in 1949.
According to the White House, restoring the name to the Department of War will enhance the department’s focus on national interests and send a clear signal to adversaries regarding America’s military readiness. This announcement comes amid several reforms at the Pentagon under Trump’s administration, particularly since the appointment of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead the department. Hegseth, a combat veteran, has been vocal about reinstating a “warrior ethos” within the military and has criticized previous administrations for their policies, which he and Trump have denounced as “woke.”
Notably, Hegseth has also pushed for expelling transgender individuals from military service and for reverting the names of bases that honored Confederate figures back to their original titles, actions initiated under former President Joe Biden. Although Trump’s order might be subject to reversal by future administrations, it includes instructions for the Secretary of War to recommend measures necessary for a permanent renaming of the department.
