President Donald Trump has signed an executive order authorising the Department of Defense to adopt the title “Department of War” as a secondary designation, reviving a name last used officially in 1947. The move, announced on Friday, is intended to symbolise a shift in military posture and does not constitute a formal renaming, which would require congressional approval.
The Department of War was originally established in 1789 and oversaw the United States Army until post-Second World War reforms led to its reorganisation under the National Security Act of 1947. That legislation consolidated the military services into the Department of Defense, reflecting a broader emphasis on deterrence and defensive strategy in the postwar era.
According to administration officials, the executive order permits the use of “Department of War” and “Secretary of War” in official correspondence, ceremonial contexts, and public communications. The Pentagon’s website has already been redirected from defence.gov to war.gov, reflecting the symbolic change.
During the signing ceremony in the Oval Office, President Trump stated, “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 argued that the original name more accurately reflects the department’s mission and historic military victories.
The announcement comes amid heightened military activity, including a recent US Navy airstrike that killed 11 individuals aboard a small vessel in international waters. The Pentagon has claimed the boat was operated by the Venezuelan criminal organisation Tren de Aragua and involved in drug trafficking. However, legal experts have raised concerns regarding the strike’s compliance with international law.
The rebranding effort has drawn criticism from some quarters, given Trump’s previous assertions of being an “anti-war president” committed to ending foreign conflicts. Nonetheless, the president maintained that projecting strength through such symbolic measures enhances America’s global standing.
Following the airstrike, seven US warships and a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine were reportedly deployed to the Caribbean, signalling an escalation in the administration’s response to perceived threats from Tren de Aragua.
Congressional approval remains necessary for any permanent renaming of the department. Representative Greg Steube of Florida and Senator Mike Lee of Utah, both Republicans, have introduced legislation to formalise the change.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who now assumes the title “Secretary of War” in official contexts, endorsed the rebrand during the signing. “We’re going to go on offence, not just on defence. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct,” he said. “We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders. So this war department, Mr President, just like America is back.”
The executive order also instructs the Secretary of War to recommend legislative and executive actions required to make the name change permanent. Critics have warned that such symbolic shifts may distract from substantive policy debates, while supporters argue it reflects a renewed commitment to military readiness.
