US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Friday directing the Pentagon to adopt the name “Department of War” as a secondary title, reviving a term last used more than seven decades ago.
The order also stipulates that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will be referred to as “Secretary of War.” Although only Congress has the authority to legally rename executive departments, Trump said he expects lawmakers to support a permanent change.
“The name ‘Department of War’ conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to ‘Department of Defense,’ which emphasizes only defensive capabilities,” the order states.
The War Department was established in 1789 and rebranded after World War II in 1947, becoming the Department of Defense. Trump has long argued that the original name reflected America’s “unbelievable history of victory” in both world wars and better projected national strength.
The White House has not disclosed the cost of a full rebrand, though US media estimate it could run into billions, covering new emblems, uniforms, email systems, and other infrastructure. Critics warn the expense may undercut the Pentagon’s ongoing efforts to reduce waste and cut spending.
Trump and Hegseth have linked the change to their effort to refocus the military on “warfighting” and a “warrior ethos,” arguing the Pentagon has been distracted by diversity and inclusion programs.
The renaming comes as China unveiled a new arsenal of military hardware in a high-profile parade, a move seen by analysts as a message to the United States and its allies.
This marks Trump’s 200th executive order since taking office. While the move was anticipated, it has sparked debate in Washington over whether a symbolic return to the “Department of War” signals a tougher foreign policy stance or risks escalating tensions abroad.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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