President Trump Reinstates 'Department of War' Title in Executive Order

In a decisive move to reshape the Pentagon's identity, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, reintroducing the historic title "Department of War" as a secondary designation for the Department of Defense.

 

"I think it sends a message of victory. I think it sends really a message of strength. We're very strong. We're much stronger than anyone would really understand," President Trump stated during the Oval Office signing ceremony.

 

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, now authorized to use the title "Secretary of War," echoed the President's sentiments. "We're going to raise up warriors, not just defenders," Hegseth declared. "So this War Department, Mr. President, just like America, is back."

 

The executive order directs all executive departments and agencies to recognize and accommodate these secondary titles in internal and external communications. While the formal renaming of the Department of Defense requires congressional approval, this order allows for immediate symbolic changes.

 

Historically, the Department of War was established in 1789 and retained its name until 1947, when it was rebranded as the Department of Defense to reflect a focus on conflict prevention during the nuclear age. President Trump criticized the 1947 name change, asserting it was a result of the government at the time going "woke."

 

Critics argue that this rebranding is a costly and unnecessary distraction, while supporters believe it revives America's military heritage and projects a more aggressive stance to adversaries.

 

As part of the rebranding efforts, the Pentagon has already updated its website and social media handles to reflect the "Department of War" title. Signage within the Pentagon, including that outside Secretary Hegseth's office, has been changed to "The Office of the Secretary of War."

 

President Trump's order also instructs Secretary Hegseth to recommend actions required to permanently change the department's name, including necessary legislative and executive steps.

 

As the administration moves forward with this initiative, the nation watches closely to see how this symbolic shift will impact America's military posture and international relations.