US President Trump renames Department of Defense as “Department of War”
News, US September 6, 2025 Comments Off on US President Trump renames Department of Defense as “Department of War”7 minute read
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on September 5, 2025, restoring the historic name “Department of War” to the U.S. Department of Defense, marking a symbolic but potentially far-reaching shift in America’s military posture.
The order allows the Pentagon and its top officials to begin using the title immediately in executive communications, while a permanent renaming would require congressional approval.
The move revives a name that the United States abandoned in the late 1940s, when Congress sought to emphasize peace and deterrence in the nuclear age. Trump and his allies argue the original title conveys strength, readiness, and a willingness to fight, projecting what they describe as a more aggressive approach to U.S. military affairs.
Historical Background
The U.S. Department of War was created in 1789 under President George Washington to oversee the Army, followed later by the Department of the Navy. For more than 150 years, the War Department managed America’s military operations, including victories in the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II.
Following World War II, Congress passed the National Security Act of 1947, consolidating the armed services under a civilian secretary and rebranding the office as the Department of Defense. The change reflected both the onset of the Cold War and concerns about nuclear escalation. Historians note that lawmakers wanted to shift the emphasis away from conquest toward defense and deterrence.
Trump, however, has frequently lamented that America has failed to win wars under the Department of Defense title. “So we won the First World War. We won the Second World War. We won everything before that and in between. And then we decided to go woke, and we changed the name to Department of Defense,” Trump said during Friday’s signing ceremony. “We should have won everywhere. We could have won every war, but we really chose to be very politically correct or woke.”
WE ARE THE WAR DEPARTMENT. pic.twitter.com/7hNb7zJLHc
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) September 5, 2025
The Executive Order
The text of the order describes the Department of War as a title that “ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice.”
Under the directive:
• The Secretary of Defense may now use the title “Secretary of War.”
• Subordinate officials may adopt corresponding titles, such as deputy secretary of war.
• All executive departments must recognize the name in official correspondence and public communications.
• Statutory references to the Department of Defense remain in force until Congress changes the law.
• The Secretary of War must submit recommendations within 60 days for making the renaming permanent.
Until Congress acts, the title will exist as a “secondary designation.” Nonetheless, the Pentagon’s official website quickly updated to war.gov late Friday, replacing “Department of Defense” with “Department of War.”
Pentagon Leadership Reaction
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, now formally recognized as the Secretary of War, strongly backed the decision. Standing alongside Trump at the Oval Office ceremony, he said the renaming was about more than symbolism.
“This name change is not just about renaming, it’s about restoring,” Hegseth declared. “We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct. We’re going to raise warriors, not just defenders.”
He added that the Pentagon would refocus on what he called “warfighting and the warrior ethos,” a theme that Trump has promoted since returning to office.
The White House has not released an estimate of the financial impact of the rebranding. U.S. media outlets have reported that costs could reach into the billions, covering changes to agency signage, uniforms, letterhead, emblems, email systems, and more.
The order specifies that the Department of War itself will bear the costs of publishing and implementing the changes.
Congressional Role and Reactions
While Trump can direct executive usage of the new title, only Congress has the authority to permanently rename a federal department. Administration officials acknowledged that legislation will be required to codify the change. Trump said he was confident lawmakers would support it if necessary.
Democrats immediately criticized the move. Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey dismissed the decision as “a childish idea,” adding: “Americans want to prevent wars, not tout them.” Other Democrats raised concerns that the renaming signals a dangerous shift toward militarism.
Republicans have generally remained supportive, portraying the change as a return to traditional values. Several conservative lawmakers praised Trump for restoring what they called the “true spirit” of the U.S. military.
Broader Implications
The announcement comes just days after China unveiled a massive parade showcasing new hypersonic missiles, drones, and naval assets, a display widely interpreted as a warning to Washington and its allies.
Analysts say Trump’s order is part of a broader repositioning of U.S. defense strategy. Since beginning his second term, he has ordered bombing campaigns in Yemen, Iran, and the southern Caribbean Sea. Despite campaign promises to be a “peacemaker and a unifier,” his administration has leaned into an offensive approach against adversaries and criminal networks.
On Thursday, Trump downplayed suggestions he was seeking a Nobel Peace Prize. “All I can do is put out wars,” he told CBS News. “I don’t seek attention. I just want to save lives.”
Trump and Hegseth have criticized what they describe as “woke ideology” inside the Pentagon, arguing that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs have distracted from combat readiness. The name change, they contend, reflects a cultural reset.
The administration has already reversed several symbolic decisions from previous years. Trump restored the Confederate-linked name “Fort Bragg” to a North Carolina base that had briefly been renamed Fort Liberty. He also renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” in federal documents.
Critics say such changes risk politicizing the armed forces and alienating segments of the military community. Supporters counter that they reinforce tradition and strengthen morale.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) September 5, 2025
Experts warn that the renaming could complicate international relations. “Words matter in diplomacy,” said one former State Department official. “Foreign partners may view the ‘Department of War’ as a more aggressive, even destabilizing, message at a time when global tensions are already high.”
Others argue that the change could damage America’s moral standing. “The Department of Defense was intentionally named to emphasize restraint and responsibility in the nuclear age,” said a military historian. “Reverting to the Department of War risks reviving an image of conquest at a moment when the U.S. is trying to prevent conflict in Europe and Asia.”
Order into Action
Within 30 days, Secretary Hegseth must submit to Trump a list of agencies and commands adopting the new designation. Within 60 days, he must present a full plan for permanent renaming, including proposed legislation.
The order marks the 200th executive order signed by Trump since returning to the White House. Whether Congress ultimately enshrines the change into law remains uncertain, but the symbolism of Friday’s ceremony was unmistakable.
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