President Donald Trump has signed his 200th executive order, authorizing the Department of Defense to revert its name to the Department of War. The move is presented as a return to a ‘warrior ethos’ and a statement of strength, aligning with the administration’s broader ideological shift focusing on military dominance and national prestige.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump argued that the name change is more appropriate for the current global context, emphasizing the United States’ status as a superpower with the ‘strongest military in the world.’ He expressed skepticism about the Department of Defense’s name, claiming it failed to reflect the nation’s historical success in warfare. ‘We have won the first World War. We have won the second World War. We have won everything before that and in between,’ Trump stated, suggesting the name change is necessary to honor these past victories.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Marine, echoed Trump’s position, stating that the name change restores the ‘warrior ethos’ to America’s military. Hegseth highlighted the historical significance of the Department of War, noting that it was established by George Washington in 1789 and that the nation has won every major war since. He argued that the shift to the Department of Defense after World War II has led to a decline in military prowess, asserting that the new name would ensure a return to a more aggressive and decisive approach to national defense.
The executive order does not immediately change the official designation of the department but allows for the use of ‘Department of War’ as a secondary title alongside the current name of Department of Defense. The White House indicated that while Congress may need to approve the official name change, President Trump expressed confidence that the name will be embraced. The administration has also pledged to focus on a more offensive military strategy, emphasizing ‘maximum lethality’ over ‘tepid legality’ and ‘violent effect’ over ‘politically correct’ approaches to warfare.
Analysts have noted that the name change is symbolic, reflecting a deeper ideological shift within the Trump administration toward a more aggressive and nationalist military posture. However, the practical impact of the name change remains unclear, as the Department of Defense will continue to function under its current structure. The decision has sparked debates about the role of language in shaping national identity and military strategy, with critics arguing that the focus on ‘winning wars’ risks oversimplifying complex geopolitical realities.