trump to Initiate Rebranding of Department of Defense as Department of War
The trump administration is preparing to take steps towards renaming the U.S. Department of Defense to the Department of War.An executive order, slated for signing, will initially allow the Pentagon to utilize “Department of War” as a secondary official title, while the administration pursues a permanent change requiring Congressional approval.According to a White House factsheet, the move is intended to emphasize the strength and readiness of the U.S. military. President Trump has publicly expressed a desire for the change, citing the historical success of the War Department – the name used from 1789 to 1947 – during both World Wars. He has stated the shift to “Department of Defense” reflected a move towards “political correctness.”
The executive order will also authorize the current Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, to be addressed as the “Secretary of War” in official capacities, including correspondence, public statements, and ceremonies. Hegseth has previously advocated for prioritizing a “warrior ethos” within the Pentagon and moving away from what he termed “wokeness and weakness.”
The order further directs Hegseth to propose legislative and executive actions necessary for a permanent renaming of the department. While Trump anticipates Congressional support for the change, a formal renaming would involve significant costs associated with updating signage and materials across all U.S.military installations globally.The 1947 legislation that consolidated the Navy and War Departments, alongside the Air force, into the National Military Establishment ultimately led to the creation of the Department of Defense in 1949, headed by a civilian Secretary of Defense.
As of the time of this report, responses to requests for comment from the offices of the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Commitee, and also from the Pentagon, were not available. Hegseth himself signaled the impending proclamation by posting “DEPARTMENT OF WAR” on social media.