Trump revives historic 'Department of War' name in Pentagon rebrand
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US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order allowing the Pentagon to use the historic title "Department of War," reflecting his push for a "warrior ethos."
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The Pentagon, the headquarters for the US Department of Defense, is seen from the air, Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order later today to restore the historic name "Department of War" as an official secondary title for the Department of Defense. The move represents a symbolic shift in how the US military presents itself to the world.
Trump explained his reasoning by pointing to history, “We won World War I, World War II – it was called the Department of War, and to me, that’s really what it is. Defense is a part of that, but I have a feeling we’re gonna be changing.”
He argued that the current title projects weakness. “We don’t just want to be defense. We want defense, but we want to be offense, too,” Trump said, claiming the new name conveys “a stronger message of readiness and resolve.”
The executive order allows Pentagon officials to use terms such as “Secretary of War” and “Deputy Secretary of War” in correspondence and ceremonial settings, though a permanent renaming would require congressional approval.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR https://t.co/uyAZGiklRi
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 4, 2025
Warrior ethos
The rebranding aligns with Trump’s broader campaign to revive what he calls a “warrior ethos” within the military. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has strongly backed the change, stating, “It’s not just about words, it’s about the warrior ethos.”
Under Hegseth, the Pentagon has shifted emphasis away from diversity and inclusion initiatives and toward a more combat-focused posture. He previously renamed his conference room the “W.A.R. Room,” underscoring his support for Trump’s initiative.
Historical background of the War Department
The Department of War was originally created in 1789 under President George Washington to oversee the Army and later the Navy and Marine Corps. It operated under that title until after World War II, when President Harry Truman consolidated the services through the National Security Act of 1947.
In 1949, the National Military Establishment was renamed the Department of Defense, reflecting a Cold War-era effort to signal deterrence and prevention of conflict rather than the waging of war.
Trump to officially change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War and for once I agree with him. It’s a far more honest name for a department that maintains 800 military bases in 80 countries & wages endless for-profit wars. pic.twitter.com/NqrakMGyO0
— Power to the People â˜ðŸ•Š (@ProudSocialist) September 4, 2025
Criticism
The decision has drawn sharp criticism, especially from Democrats. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran, questioned Trump’s priorities in an interview with Reuters, “Why not put this money toward supporting military families or toward employing diplomats that help prevent conflicts from starting in the first place?”
Critics have also raised concerns about cost. Rebranding would require changes to signage, websites, letterheads, and documentation across Pentagon facilities and global bases. For comparison, President Biden’s 2021 decision to rename nine Confederate-linked bases was projected to cost $39 million.
Legal scholars note that while Trump can authorize secondary titles, a permanent change will require Congress. Accordingly, Trump has directed Hegseth to draft recommendations for both legislative and executive actions to make the renaming permanent.
With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the proposal faces fewer political obstacles, though constitutional and procedural concerns remain.
