US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reinstating the historic title of the Department of War for what has long been known as the Department of Defense. The announcement was made during a live broadcast from the White House.
“We won the First World War, the Second World War and everything before and in between,” Trump declared as he put his signature to the order.
A directive with far-reaching implications
According to the decree, all executive departments and agencies will be required to recognise and use the restored title in both internal and external communications. Trump has also instructed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to propose further measures, legislative and executive alike, to ensure the permanent change of name.
Hegseth, standing beside the President during the signing ceremony, has already amended his profile on X to read “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth”.
Symbolism and political meaning
Trump and Hegseth have repeatedly expressed their belief that the Pentagon’s current title does not reflect the “realities and role of America in the world”. Supporters argue that the move signals a more candid presentation of the US military’s role and could serve as a symbol of “renewed American strength”.
Critics, however, warn that the renaming risks cementing an image of the United States as aggressive and could strain relations with allies as well as adversaries.
The legacy of the Department of War
The Department of War was one of the United States’ earliest institutions, created in 1789 to oversee land forces, national defence, and military operations. Its remit was clear: to wage war against external or internal enemies. The Navy was overseen separately by the Department of the Navy, making the structure divided.
In 1947, in the aftermath of the Second World War, sweeping reforms led to the establishment of the Department of Defense, which unified the Army, Navy, and the newly formed Air Force under a single structure. The name change was intended to highlight a defensive rather than offensive posture, marking the Pentagon as the nerve centre of US security policy.
By reviving the old designation, Trump has deliberately chosen a term that carries historical weight – and controversy.
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