United States President, Donald Trump, on Friday signed an executive order directing that the Department of Defense adopt its former name, the Department of War.
According to the order, which was reviewed by the BBC, the shift is meant to “project strength and resolve.” The War Department was the agency’s original name from its creation in 1789 until it was dissolved and reorganized in 1947, leading to the establishment of the Department of Defense.
For now, the Pentagon will use “Department of War” as a secondary designation, while the administration works with Congress to secure a permanent change.
The White House has not released any official estimates for the rebranding effort, though US outlets suggest the overhaul—spanning emblems, uniforms, websites, and email addresses—could run into billions of dollars.
Explaining the rationale, the order stated: “The name ‘Department of War’ conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to ‘Department of Defense,’ which emphasizes only defensive capabilities.”
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump added: “I think it’s a much more appropriate name, in light of where the world is right now. It sends a message of victory.”
Under the order, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will assume the title of Secretary of War. He is tasked with presenting legislative and executive proposals to ensure the change becomes permanent.
At the signing ceremony, Hegseth stressed that the move is symbolic as well as practical, “This name change is not just about renaming, it’s about restoring. Words matter.”
He continued, “We’re going to go on offence, not just on defence. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct. We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders.”
By Friday evening, the Pentagon’s official website had shifted to war.gov, prominently displaying the new title, “U.S. Department of War.”
While Trump believes Congress will ultimately back the decision, some lawmakers expressed skepticism. Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey dismissed the move as frivolous, saying: “Americans want to prevent wars, not tout them.”
Historians note that the War Department, created under President George Washington, was rebranded after World War II to reflect a broader defensive posture.
Trump, however, has long argued that the old name reflects America’s “unbelievable history of victory” during the two world wars.
Both Trump and Hegseth have criticized what they see as the Pentagon’s shift toward “woke ideology” and diversity initiatives, insisting instead on prioritizing “warfighting” and a “warrior ethos.”
Just a day earlier, Trump dismissed speculation about seeking the 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.”
The renaming effort marks Trump’s 200th executive order since taking office and comes amid growing global tensions, including China’s recent unveiling of advanced weaponry during a high-profile military parade.