Trump Renames Pentagon ‘Department of War'

President Donald Trump signed an executive order rebranding the Department of Defense as the "Department of War," a provocative move intended to project American military might on the global stage. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump declared the new name “much more appropriate” given the current global landscape, dismissing the previous title as “woke.” The order, his 200th in his second term, authorizes the Pentagon to use secondary titles like “Secretary of War” and “Department of War” in official communications, though a permanent name change requires congressional approval.

Trump, joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, emphasized a return to a “warrior ethos,” with Hegseth asserting, “We haven’t won a major war since” the name changed in 1947. He added, “We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense.” The Pentagon swiftly implemented the change, updating signage to reflect Hegseth’s new title and redirecting its website from defense.gov to war.gov. Trump expressed confidence in bypassing Congress, stating, “I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that,” despite legal experts noting that renaming federal departments is a congressional prerogative.

The move aligns with efforts by Republican allies, including Rep. Greg Steube and Sens. Rick Scott and Mike Lee, who introduced legislation to codify the name change. Steube, an Army veteran, argued, “From 1789 until the end of World War II, the United States military fought under the banner of the Department of War. It is only fitting that we pay tribute to their renowned commitment to lethality.”

Also Read: Trump Threatens Tariffs Over EU’s Google Penalty

Historically, the Department of War, established in 1789 under George Washington, oversaw the Army until 1947, when President Harry Truman’s National Security Act merged it with the Navy and newly formed Air Force into the Department of Defense. The 1949 rename reflected a post-World War II focus on preventing wars in the nuclear age. Trump and Hegseth, however, argue the original name better reflects military victories, citing World Wars I and II.

The rebranding is part of a broader campaign to reverse what Trump and Hegseth call “woke” policies. This includes renaming military bases previously stripped of Confederate names under a 2023 congressional mandate. To circumvent legal restrictions, Hegseth reassigned names like Fort Bragg to honor new figures, such as Army Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero, instead of Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg. Similarly, Fort A.P. Hill now honors Union soldiers Pvt. Bruce Anderson, 1st Sgt. Robert A. Pinn, and Lt. Col. Edward Hill. These moves have drawn criticism from some Republicans, like Rep. Don Bacon, who accused Hegseth of defying Congress.

Critics, including Democrats, have called the rename costly and unnecessary, estimating billions in expenses for updating signage, letterheads, and branding worldwide. The White House downplayed costs, with Trump insisting, “We know how to rebrand without having to go crazy.” The move has also drawn irony, given Trump’s public desire for a Nobel Peace Prize, with Rep. Darren Soto quipping on X, “This should cinch it for him right?”

As global tensions, including the Ukraine conflict and China’s military advancements, loom large, the rebranding signals a shift toward a more assertive US military posture, though its long-term impact remains uncertain amid legal and political challenges.

Also Read: Trump’s Visa Crackdown Targets Iran, Brazil, and More at UN General Assembly