Trump Signs Executive Order Renaming Defense Dept to War Dept/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War, reviving its pre-1947 title. Supporters say the move projects strength, while critics view it as politically symbolic and legally dubious. Congress must still approve the name change, but Trump allies are advancing legislation.
Trump Pentagon Rebrand: Quick Looks
- Trump signs executive order renaming the Pentagon “Department of War.”
- Says current “Defense” title is “woke” and lacks strength.
- Website shifted from defense.gov to war.gov after signing.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth embraces “maximum lethality” message.
- Congress must approve, with GOP lawmakers introducing supporting bills.
- Department of War existed until Truman’s 1947 reorganization.
- Critics accuse Trump of politicizing the military, reviving Confederate ties.
- Move continues broader push to reshape Pentagon culture and identity.
Deep Look: Trump Orders Pentagon Rebrand to ‘Department of War’ Amid Political and Military Backlash
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order directing that the Department of Defense be officially rebranded as the Department of War, reviving a name last used during World War II. Trump said the change is designed to send “a message of victory” and reject what he called a “woke” Pentagon identity.
The order makes “Department of War” a secondary title for the Defense Department, though a formal renaming requires congressional approval. Legislation to codify the change was introduced Friday by several of Trump’s Republican allies.
“I think it sends, really, a message of strength,” Trump declared during the signing ceremony, flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, now referred to by Trump as “Secretary of War.”
Cosmetic and Symbolic Shifts Already Underway
Even before Congress acts, changes were visible:
- The Pentagon’s website shifted from defense.gov to war.gov.
- New signage was installed in Hegseth’s office.
- Plans were announced to overhaul official stationery.
Hegseth echoed Trump’s framing, promising to put the U.S. military “on offense, not just defense,” emphasizing “maximum lethality” while vowing to abandon political correctness.
Historic Roots: A Return to 1789
The Department of War was established in 1789 and managed the U.S. Army until President Harry Truman’s 1947 reorganization, which created the Defense Department to oversee the Army, Navy, and the newly formed Air Force. Trump and his allies argue that the name change in the mid-20th century coincided with a period of “wars without victory.”
“We never fought to win,” Trump said, suggesting that reverting to the original title would revive a “culture of victory” associated with earlier eras.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), an Army veteran, said restoring the name honors “the eternal example and commitment to lethality” of America’s earlier military tradition. Companion legislation is expected in the Senate from Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah).
Critics Warn of Politicization
Opponents argue that the rebrand is political theater aimed at reinforcing Trump’s nationalistic rhetoric and reshaping Pentagon culture. Critics warn that such changes risk alienating allies and undermining civilian oversight of the military.
Trump has already implemented controversial changes at the Pentagon:
- Banning transgender troops.
- Removing online tributes to women and minority service members.
- Restoring Confederate-associated base names through creative loopholes.
In one case, after Congress banned Confederate names in 2023, Hegseth rebranded Fort Bragg in North Carolina as honoring Roland L. Bragg, a World War II paratrooper with a similar surname, circumventing the restriction.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a Republican who supported removing Confederate names, accused the administration of “sticking its finger in the eye of Congress.”
Balancing Peace and Aggression
Trump has sought to reconcile his militaristic rhetoric with his campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize, insisting the two are not contradictory. He has long claimed that “peace through strength” ensures diplomacy succeeds.
He touts his role in mediating conflicts between India and Pakistan, Rwanda and Congo, and Armenia and Azerbaijan, while boasting of military strikes in Iran and Venezuela.
“I think I’ve gotten peace because of the fact that we’re strong,” Trump said Friday, borrowing a line often associated with President Ronald Reagan.
What Comes Next
Whether Congress approves the renaming remains uncertain. Some Republicans are backing the effort, while others remain wary of inflaming debates over military tradition and cultural politics. Democrats have largely criticized the move as distracting from urgent defense priorities such as global security challenges and military readiness.
Still, the Trump administration is forging ahead with symbolic changes. As Trump dismissed his military leaders after Friday’s remarks, he quipped:
“I’m going to let these people go back to the Department of War and figure out how to maintain peace.”
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