Trump Rebrands Pentagon as ‘Department of War’

President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump has announced plans to rebrand the Department of Defense as the “Department of War,” saying the new title will project greater strength and resolve.

Although the department’s official name is set by law, an executive order authorises the use of the new label as a secondary title. Under the directive, senior officials may employ terms such as “Secretary of War” in official correspondence, public statements, ceremonial events, and other non-statutory documents.

The timing of Trump’s signing ceremony remains uncertain, but his schedule includes the signing of several executive orders in the coming days.

Trump, who has often promoted his marketing instincts, recently argued that the current title was “too defensive.” He pointed out that the United States achieved victory in both World Wars under the Department of War banner. The White House document explained that reviving the old name is intended to “sharpen the focus of this department on national interests and convey America’s readiness to secure them.”

The Department of War was originally established in the nation’s early years, before being reorganised after World War II into the Department of Defense in 1949.

The move reflects broader changes at the Pentagon under Trump and his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, a combat veteran. Hegseth has called for restoring a “warrior ethos” and criticised past administrations for what he and Trump describe as “woke policies.” His tenure has also seen efforts to expel transgender service members and to reinstate original names of bases that had been renamed in recent years.

While the executive order allows the rebranding, a future administration could rescind it. However, the directive also tasks the Secretary of War with recommending legislative steps to make the change permanent.