US President Donald Trump is moving to reintroduce the name “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Department of Defense. He is expected to sign an executive order on Friday authorising the change, under which Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth would also be referred to as Secretary of War.
The Pentagon, which oversees the US armed services, is the successor to the War Department, created in 1789 and dissolved in 1947. While the president cannot unilaterally rename an executive department — a power reserved for Congress — the order will allow officials to use the new title alongside the current one.
According to the BBC, which reviewed the order’s text, Trump argues that the term “Department of War” conveys “a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to ‘Department of Defense,’ which emphasizes only defensive capabilities.” The order further directs Hegseth to recommend legislative and executive steps toward a permanent name change.
The move revives the name originally established under George Washington, later rebranded after World War II. Trump contends that restoring it “will sharpen the focus of this Department on our national interest and signal to adversaries America’s readiness to wage war to secure its interests.”
The White House has not disclosed the estimated cost of a permanent rebrand, though US media outlets report it could run into billions of dollars, given the need to update agency emblems, uniforms, email systems, and other infrastructure. Critics warn such expenses could undercut Pentagon efforts to rein in spending.
Trump has repeatedly voiced support for the change, pointing to America’s “unbelievable history of victory” in both world wars under the War Department banner. He has also suggested Congress would ultimately back the move: “I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that. I don’t even think we need that,” he said last week.
Both Trump and Hegseth have sought to reorient the department around “warfighting” and a “warrior ethos,” arguing it has become overly focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The announcement coincides with China’s display of new military hardware in a major parade, an event widely interpreted as a signal to Washington and its allies.
The renaming marks the 200th executive order signed by Trump since taking office.
Source: BBC
