US President Donald Trump will on Friday sign an executive order directing the Pentagon to adopt “Department of War” as a secondary title, reviving a designation last used more than 70 years ago.
The order further states that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will be addressed as “Secretary of War.” While only Congress has the power to formally rename executive departments, Trump expressed confidence that lawmakers would back a permanent change.
According to the order, the title “Department of War” is intended to project “a stronger message of readiness and resolve” compared to the existing “Department of Defense,” which Trump argued focuses solely on defensive functions.
Originally created in 1789, the War Department was renamed in 1947 after World War II, becoming the Department of Defense. Trump has repeatedly said the earlier title better reflected America’s military victories and national strength.
Although the White House has not provided cost estimates for a full rebrand, US media suggest the expense could reach billions of dollars, covering new insignias, uniforms, IT systems, and other assets. Critics caution the move could undermine Pentagon efforts to cut spending and curb waste.
Trump and Hegseth have linked the change to their push to refocus the armed forces on “warfighting” and a “warrior ethos,” arguing that diversity and inclusion initiatives have distracted the military from its core mission.
The announcement coincides with China’s unveiling of new military hardware in a high-profile parade, an event analysts see as a challenge to the United States and its allies.
Friday’s order will mark Trump’s 200th since assuming office, sparking debate in Washington over whether the symbolic return to the “Department of War” reflects a tougher foreign policy stance or risks heightening international tensions.
