Trump Designates 'Department of War' as Secondary Pentagon Title Amid Cost Concerns

Washington, D.C. – On September 5, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating "Department of War" as a secondary title for the U.S. Department of Defense. This move, announced from the White House, aims to project a more assertive global stance and align with Trump's stated desire to revert what he terms "woke" policies within the military. The decision has sparked significant debate, particularly concerning the potential multi-billion dollar cost of rebranding and its symbolic implications.

The executive order permits the Department of Defense and its officials, including Secretary Pete Hegseth, to use "Department of War" and "Secretary of War" as secondary titles in official communications and ceremonies. While not a full legal name change, which would require an act of Congress, the directive instructs Secretary Hegseth to recommend legislative and executive actions for a permanent renaming. This reverts to the department's original name, used from 1789 until 1947, when it was renamed the Department of Defense to signify a more defensive posture post-World War II.

Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, have raised concerns about the extensive financial outlay required for such a symbolic shift. Estimates suggest rebranding costs, covering everything from signage and stationery to digital platforms across the Pentagon's vast global operations, could run into billions of dollars. Opponents argue these funds would be better utilized for military families or diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing conflicts, rather than a largely performative change.

The renaming has also drawn attention in international media, with some Russian outlets, such as news-pravda.com, reporting it as a definitive and immediate change. This contrasts with the nuance of it being a secondary title and a proposal, potentially contributing to misinterpretations. The standard Russian translation for the U.S. Department of Defense is "Министерство обороны" (Ministry of Defense), making a direct translation of "Department of War" (Министерство войны) a notable linguistic shift.

Such reporting highlights the challenges of cross-cultural communication and the potential for misrepresentation in sensitive geopolitical contexts. As one social media user, Teortaxes▶️, commented, "If you think «Department of War» is a bit much, wait until you see the crappy translation that the Russians are getting." This sentiment underscores how differing interpretations of official announcements can shape international narratives and perceptions. The debate continues regarding whether the symbolic rebranding will yield strategic advantages or primarily serve domestic political objectives.