US President Donald Trump is set to reintroduce a historic name to the Pentagon, directing that the Department of Defense also be referred to as the Department of War. The move, expected to be formalized through an executive order on Friday, marks a symbolic shift in how the US military establishment presents itself.
According to the text of the order seen by the BBC, Trump argues that the term “Department of War” sends a stronger message of “readiness and resolve” than “Department of Defense,” which he says emphasizes only defensive postures. The directive also instructs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to adopt the secondary title of “Secretary of War.”
The Pentagon is the successor to the War Department, which was created in 1789 under George Washington and rebranded as the Department of Defense in 1947, following World War II. While Trump’s executive order authorizes the use of the old name in communications, the president cannot formally change the title without congressional approval. The order tasks Hegseth with identifying legislative and executive steps to move toward a permanent renaming.
Restoring the historic title, the order says, 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.” However, analysts have warned that a permanent rebrand could come with a billion-dollar price tag, as new signage, emblems, uniforms, websites, and email systems would need to be overhauled at a time when the Pentagon is under pressure to cut costs.
Trump has long floated the idea, often pointing to America’s “unbelievable history of victory” under the War Department during both world wars. “I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that,” he said last week, suggesting legislative approval would not be an obstacle.
The decision also underscores Trump and Hegseth’s push to reorient the Pentagon around “warfighting” and a “warrior ethos,” while scaling back diversity and inclusion programs they view as distractions.
The announcement comes just days after China showcased advanced military hardware in a high-profile parade, a move widely seen as a challenge to US power. Trump’s renaming order marks the 200th executive order of his presidency.
