Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
It would also make Pete Hegseth “Secretary of War” instead of “Secretary of Defense”.
It would also make Pete Hegseth “Secretary of War” instead of “Secretary of Defense”.
What is happening?
US-President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order renaming the U.S. Department of Defense the “Department of War,” a White House official told Reuters.
The announcement, expected Friday, would mark a dramatic symbolic shift — putting Trump’s personal stamp on the largest branch of the federal government.
Secondary titles get green light
Under the executive order, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon officials would be authorized to use alternative titles like “Secretary of War” and “Deputy Secretary of War” in official and public communications.
The move is largely symbolic for now, but the order also instructs Hegseth to pursue legislative and executive steps to make the change permanent.
Part of a broader renaming push
This latest action is part of Trump’s wider effort to rename government institutions and landmarks.
Since returning to office in January, he has moved to restore historic military base names and even proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
The rebranding of the Pentagon fits neatly into this broader campaign to reshape American symbolism.
Legal hurdles remain
Changing the name of a major federal department is no small feat. It would require congressional approval — a rare and politically sensitive move.
While Republicans control both chambers of Congress, their majorities are slim, and it’s unclear whether there’s enough support to pass such a measure without resistance.
A throwback to Pre-1949 America
The Pentagon wasn’t always called the Department of Defense. It held the name “War Department” until 1949, when the U.S. government merged the Army, Navy, and Air Force under one roof.
The name “Department of Defense” was chosen to reflect a post-World War II focus on peacekeeping and deterrence in the nuclear age.
High price tag, global implications
Renaming the department would trigger widespread logistical changes — from Pentagon signage to base letterheads worldwide.
A previous initiative under President Biden to rename Confederate-linked bases was estimated to cost $39 million.
That effort was reversed earlier this year by Secretary Hegseth.
Critics slam cost and distraction
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran, condemned the move.
“Why not put this money toward supporting military families or employing diplomats that help prevent conflicts?” she asked.
Duckworth accused Trump of prioritizing political theatrics over genuine national security needs.
Supporters say it’s about Ethos
Despite the backlash, supporters of the name change argue it’s more than semantics.
“This is about the warrior ethos,” said Hegseth.
Trump loyalists like Rep. James Comer have also backed legislation to give presidents more freedom to reorganize federal agencies — including rebranding them.
“Defense is too defensive”
In recent remarks, Trump criticized the current department name as overly passive.
“We want to be defensive, but we want to be offensive too if we have to be,” he said.
He previously called the 1949 name change “politically correct,” suggesting this shift is a return to traditional values.
Origins date back to first term
The push to revive the “Department of War” label has roots in Trump’s first term.
Kash Patel, now FBI Director and a former Pentagon staffer, once signed off emails with “War Department” in his title.
“I view it as a tribute to the history and heritage of the Department of Defense,” he told Reuters.
