Trump renames Pentagon as 'Department of War' in executive order

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 03:47
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US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the "Department of War," reviving its pre-1949 title despite criticism over costs and timing.

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A new sign hangs at the Pentagon after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to rename the Department of Defense the Department of War in Washington, September 5, 2025. (AP)

United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to rename the Department of Defense the "Department of War," restoring its title from before the post–World War II era.

The Pentagon carried the designation until 1949, when Congress restructured the military to emphasize deterrence and collective defense in the nuclear age.

The order, signed during a ceremony in the Oval Office, is part of Trump’s broader rebranding of the US military. It follows his earlier decisions to preside over a large military parade in Washington, D.C., reinstate original names for bases that were changed after the 2020 racial justice protests, and expand military roles within domestic US cities and along the southern border.

Implementation and congressional role

The order allows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top officials to use the titles “Secretary of War” and “Deputy Secretary of War” in official communications. It also tasks Hegseth with drafting legislative and executive measures to cement the name change.

Although agency renaming requires congressional approval, Trump’s Republican Party holds slim majorities in both chambers. Several GOP lawmakers, including Senators Mike Lee and Rick Scott and Representative Greg Steube, introduced legislation on Friday to make the change permanent.

Cost and criticism

Renaming the Pentagon is expected to be costly, involving updates to signage, stationery, and military installations worldwide. Critics argue the move is unnecessary and will distract the US military at a time of ongoing global crises.

Defense Secretary Hegseth defended the decision, stating that the change is "not just about words — it's about the warrior ethos."

The issue also reflects longstanding debates. An earlier effort by former President Joe Biden to rename US Army bases that honored Confederate figures was projected to cost $39 million before being reversed this year by Hegseth.