Trump Renames Pentagon as ‘Department of War’: A Historic Return to Pre-1947 Military Identity
President Signs Executive Order Restoring Military Department’s Original Name,
On September 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed his 200th executive order, officially authorizing the Department of Defense to revert to its historical name, the Department of War. This significant rebranding marks Trump’s most symbolic military reform, reviving a title that was abandoned nearly eight decades ago in favor of what he calls a more “defensive” approach.
Historical Context of Department of War
The Department of War originally served as America’s primary military organization from 1789 to 1947, when President Harry Truman renamed it the Department of Defense through the National Security Act. The original War Department was established by George Washington with Henry Knox as the first Secretary of War, overseeing American victories in major conflicts including the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II.
The 1947 transformation unified the Army, Navy, and newly created Air Force under civilian leadership, emphasizing conflict prevention in the emerging nuclear age. However, Trump argues this shift toward “political correctness” contributed to America’s inability to achieve decisive victories in subsequent conflicts.
Executive Order and Implementation – Trump Renames Pentagon as ‘Department of War’
Trump’s executive order establishes “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Department of Defense, allowing Secretary Pete Hegseth to use designations like “Secretary of War” and “Deputy Secretary of War” in official communications. The order directs all executive departments and agencies to recognize these alternative titles while instructing Hegseth to propose legislative measures for permanent implementation.
The rebranding began immediately, with the Pentagon updating its website URL, social media accounts, and internal signage. Signs around Hegseth’s office now display “The Office of the Secretary of War,” demonstrating the administration’s commitment to rapid implementation.
Trump’s Justification for the Change
Speaking from the Oval Office during the signing ceremony, Trump emphasized the symbolic importance of the name change. “We won the First World War, we won the Second World War, we won everything before that and in between. Then we decided to go woke and changed the name to the Department of Defense,” he declared.
Trump criticized the current name as insufficiently aggressive, arguing that “Department of War” projects a “stronger message of readiness and resolve” compared to the defensive-focused alternative. He connected the change to America’s military superiority, stating the country possesses “the strongest military in the world” with “the greatest equipment” and personnel.
Secretary Hegseth’s “Warrior Ethos” Campaign
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has championed this rebranding as part of his broader “warrior ethos” initiative. At the signing ceremony, Hegseth emphasized the philosophical shift: “We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders. So this War Department, Mr. President, just like America is back.”
Hegseth outlined the department’s new operational philosophy: “We’re going to fight decisively, not endless conflicts. It’s going to fight to win, not to lose. We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality.” This approach represents a fundamental departure from what the administration characterizes as overly cautious military engagement.
Congressional Support and Opposition
While changing a federal department’s name typically requires Congressional approval, Trump benefits from narrow Republican majorities in both chambers. Florida Senator Rick Scott, Utah Senator Mike Lee, and Florida Representative Greg Steube introduced companion legislation on the same day to formalize the change.
However, the proposal faces criticism from both parties. Senator Mitch McConnell, the top Republican on Pentagon spending, warned: “If we call it the Dept. of War, we’d better equip the military to actually prevent and win wars” while criticizing Trump’s defense budget as inadequate.
Democratic Senator Andy Kim condemned the move as juvenile, arguing “Americans want to prevent wars, not promote them,” highlighting concerns about the administration’s increasingly aggressive military posture.
