Trump Executive Order to Reintroduce 'Department of War' Title for Pentagon

Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Friday, September 5, 2025, authorizing the Department of Defense to use "Department of War" as a secondary title, a move signaling a shift towards a more assertive military posture. The announcement, widely reported by major news outlets, confirms the administration's long-standing desire to revert to the historic name. The order also allows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be styled as "Secretary of War" in official communications.

The decision aims to project a "warrior ethos" and align the military's public image with a more aggressive stance, according to White House officials. The original tweet from The Post Millennial stated, "> BREAKING: Trump to sign EO to rename Pentagon the 'Department of War' on Friday." This executive action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape federal agencies.

The Department of War was established in 1789 and served as the nation's primary military authority until 1947, when it was merged with the Department of the Navy into the National Military Establishment. This entity was subsequently renamed the Department of Defense in 1949 under President Harry S. Truman, reflecting a post-World War II shift towards preventing conflict and emphasizing defense and deterrence.

While the executive order will permit the use of the "Department of War" as a secondary title and guide the department's public-facing materials, a permanent and formal name change would require congressional approval. The rebranding effort, if fully implemented, is anticipated to incur significant costs, with estimates ranging from hundreds of millions to potentially a billion dollars for updating signage, letterheads, and other official identifiers across military installations worldwide.

The move has drawn varied reactions, with supporters like Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) stating it would reflect America’s "true capabilities to win wars." However, critics, including Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, have questioned the allocation of funds for such a change, suggesting the money could be better used for military families or diplomatic efforts. Defense Secretary Hegseth has publicly supported the change, asserting that "words and names and titles matter" and that the historical name better reflects the nation's military heritage.