On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, using a title not used since the 1940s. The change is meant to “project strength and resolve,” according to the official document.
The department will start using “Department of War” as a secondary title, with full rebranding pending Congressional approval. The switch could cost billions of dollars, as it would involve updating military uniforms, websites, agency signs, email addresses, and more.
The Department of War originally existed from 1789 to 1947, before it was changed after World War II to reflect a focus on defense rather than aggression.
President Trump said the new name sends a message of “victory” and better matches the world’s current state. Pete Hegseth, the new Secretary of War, echoed that idea, saying the department should focus more on “offense, not just defense.” He added, “We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders.”
Critics, however, have pushed back. Democratic Senator Andy Kim said Americans “want to prevent wars, not tout them,” calling the move “childish.”
The Pentagon’s website already changed to war.gov, and Hegseth shared a photo of his new doorplate with the updated title.
Although Trump claims Congress will support the move, legally only Congress can create or rename executive departments. Still, this marks his 200th executive order as president, and it follows China’s recent military display, which some believe influenced the timing.
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