Image Credentials: Image Title: Trump Signs Executive Order to Rename Pentagon as “Department of War” Source: (Gemini) Date: September 2025. Attribution: Created using AI-generated imagery (Gemini), this does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle with Agencies
Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, reviving a title that had been abandoned after World War Two. The move is part of a broader rebranding of the U.S. military under Trump, who has repeatedly emphasized martial strength and traditional terminology.
The signing ceremony took place in the Oval Office, where Trump framed the decision as a return to America’s victorious legacy.
“We won the First World War, we won the Second World War. We won everything before that and in between, and then we decided to go woke and we changed the name to Department of Defense. So, we’re going to Department of War,” Trump declared to reporters.
A Throwback to Pre-1949
The U.S. War Department was formally renamed the Department of Defense in 1949, when Congress sought to consolidate the Army, Navy, and newly created Air Force under a single structure. The rebranding at that time reflected a shift toward emphasizing deterrence and the prevention of conflict during the early years of the Cold War.
Trump’s order authorizes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his deputies to use titles such as Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War in official correspondence and communications. The White House said Hegseth will also be tasked with recommending further legislative and executive steps to cement the name change.
Legislative Push
Although executive orders can authorize symbolic changes, making the renaming permanent requires congressional approval. Within hours of Trump’s announcement, Republican lawmakers introduced bills to formalize the shift. Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Rick Scott of Florida, along with Representative Greg Steube of Florida, unveiled legislation that would restore the pre-1949 designation.
With Republicans holding narrow majorities in both the House and Senate, opposition to the proposal appears limited.
Wider Military Rebranding
The renaming comes as part of Trump’s broader reshaping of military culture and presentation. He has previously ordered:
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The restoration of original names for military bases that were changed after the 2020 racial justice protests.
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The creation of military zones along the southern U.S. border to bolster immigration enforcement.
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The deployment of troops in major cities such as Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
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A large-scale military parade in the nation’s capital.
Costs and Implementation
Switching the Pentagon’s identity back to “Department of War” will involve logistical and financial challenges. Signs, stationery, and digital systems across domestic and international military installations will require updating, an expense likely to draw scrutiny from critics.
Still, Trump’s allies argue the symbolic value outweighs the cost. “This is about strength, clarity, and telling the world exactly what America’s military is for,” one Republican lawmaker said following the announcement.
For now, the executive order allows immediate use of the new terminology, while Congress debates whether to enshrine the change permanently.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.