PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO RENAME THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AS THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR, reverting to its historical title as part of broader Pentagon reforms. The initiative, which has been in the works for several months, is scheduled to be formalized with an executive order slated for Friday. The move, part of a larger ‘warrior ethos’ campaign, is intended to reflect a renewed emphasis on offensive military operations and cultural transformation within the military.
Trajectory: The Department of War was the official title of the U.S. military agency until 1949, when it was renamed the Department of Defense under the National Security Act of 1947. The planned renaming comes as part of a sweeping effort to align the agency’s identity with its historical legacy of victory in major conflicts. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a key supporter of the initiative, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of restoring the ‘warrior mentality’ within the military and has endorsed the name change as a symbolic step toward this goal.
Implementation: The executive order, which Trump is set to sign, includes specific directives for renaming the department, including adjustments to public-facing websites, office signage, and the renaming of the Pentagon’s public affairs briefing room to the ‘Pentagon War Annex.’ Additionally, Hegseth is tasked with drafting legislative and executive proposals to make the name change permanent, pending potential congressional approval.
The decision has sparked a range of reactions, with critics arguing that the move is symbolic rather than substantive. However, Trump himself has stated that the change is a reflection of the country’s enduring legacy of military success and his belief that the shift will foster a more assertive approach to national security. The renaming also comes at a time when Trump has been vocal about reversing changes made during the Biden administration, including the renaming of several military bases.