Trump Rebrands Pentagon as ‘Department of War’ via Executive Order
Trump Rebrands Pentagon as ‘Department of War’ via Executive Order
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order directing the Department of Defense to adopt ‘Department of War’ as a secondary title, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s defense posture. The order, expected to be signed this Friday, also designates Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be known as the Secretary of War.
According to the executive order, seen by the BBC, the name change is intended to “convey a stronger message of readiness and resolve” and to “sharpen the focus of this Department on our national interest and signal to adversaries America’s readiness to wage war to secure its interests.” This move marks a return to the department’s original designation, which existed from 1789 until 1947 before its post-World War II rebranding.
While the executive order authorizes the immediate use of the new titles, a permanent legal change would require an amendment passed by the US Congress. The order instructs Secretary Hegseth to recommend legislative and executive actions to facilitate this long-term renaming.
The rebranding effort is projected to incur substantial costs, with US media estimating a billion-dollar price tag for overhauling agencies, emblems, email addresses, and uniforms. This financial outlay could potentially complicate the Pentagon’s existing efforts to cut spending.
President Trump has consistently championed the name change, citing America’s “unbelievable history of victory” under the previous moniker. Both Trump and Hegseth have expressed a desire to refocus the department on “warfighting” and a “warrior ethos,” while criticizing what they describe as an overemphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and “woke ideology.”
The announcement follows recent global developments, including China’s unveiling of new military hardware in a parade widely interpreted as a direct message to the US and its allies. This executive order is the 200th signed by President Trump since taking office.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.