Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump is taking steps to restore the historical name of the Pentagon’s governing body, announcing plans to rename the Department of Defense as the “Department of War.” The move, disclosed by the White House on Thursday, signals a symbolic shift in how the administration wants the world to view American military power.
According to a White House document, Trump will sign an executive order on Friday that will authorize Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense to use “secondary titles” in official communications. While the president cannot legally change the department’s name without congressional approval, the order instructs Hegseth to prepare recommendations for both legislative and executive actions that could pave the way for a permanent renaming.
The rationale, as outlined in the document, is rooted in the president’s belief that the current title projects a posture of restraint rather than strength. “Renaming conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve,” the White House said, noting that Trump has consistently argued the word “Defense” understates America’s global military reach.
This latest move is part of a broader trend in Trump’s presidency to leave his mark on long-standing institutions by altering their names or symbols. Supporters argue that reviving the “Department of War” label reinforces U.S. dominance and underscores the seriousness of its global military role. Critics, however, are likely to see the change as provocative and emblematic of Trump’s combative style, both domestically and internationally.
Historically, the United States operated under a Department of War from the nation’s founding until 1947. That year, following World War II, Congress restructured America’s military institutions, consolidating the Army, Navy, and newly established Air Force into the Department of Defense. The change was meant to reflect a more unified and strategic approach to military planning in the nuclear age, while softening the martial tone of the older title.
By reviving the original name, Trump is drawing a direct link to America’s earlier military traditions. The announcement immediately attracted attention online after Defense Secretary Hegseth late Thursday posted the words “DEPARTMENT OF WAR” in capital letters on the social media platform X, a move interpreted as a signal of his alignment with the president’s vision.
Whether Congress will support such a symbolic but significant change remains uncertain. Renaming a federal department requires legislative approval, and lawmakers are expected to debate the broader implications of restoring the “War” title. For now, Trump’s executive order ensures the term will begin appearing alongside “Department of Defense” in official references, reviving a name not formally used for nearly eight decades.
The development highlights Trump’s continued push to reshape U.S. institutions in line with his philosophy of projecting strength and defiance—both to allies and to rivals around the world.
Source : Reuters, AFP and AP
