Trump Orders Pentagon to Restore Historic “War Department” Name
Historic Name Returns as Secondary Title
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order allowing the Pentagon to revive its historic name, the War Department, alongside its current title, the Department of Defense. Trump called the change a symbol of strength and victory, saying it better reflects America’s military heritage.
At the White House ceremony, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth praised the decision, describing it as more than just a name change. He said it represents a return to the warrior ethos in the U.S. military.
Trump Criticizes “Defensive” Department of Defense
Trump argued that the existing name, used for over seven decades, sounded too cautious and “wokey.”
“I think it sends a message of victory,” Trump told reporters. “It’s a much more appropriate name considering current global challenges.”
The president suggested that America’s military might have achieved even more under the original title, which emphasized combat and decisive action.
A Look Back: War Department History
The War Department was created in 1789 to oversee the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps shortly after U.S. independence. It served as the nation’s military command until 1947, when the Department of Defense was established after World War II to unify command structures.
Pentagon Chief Highlights Significance
Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and combat veteran, shared a video showing the installation of a new “Secretary of War” nameplate at his Pentagon office. He emphasized that the name change reinforces a combat-ready, decisive military mindset.
“Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct. We’re raising warriors, not just defenders,” Hegseth said.
Aligning With Trump’s Military Goals
The renaming aligns with Trump’s broader agenda to project U.S. strength domestically and internationally. Recent moves include:
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Deploying forces in the Caribbean to combat drug cartel activity tied to Venezuela.
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Conducting a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
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Using the National Guard in cities like Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles for security operations.
The move reinforces Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda and his focus on projecting a strong, assertive military presence.
Political Reactions and Cost
Democrats have criticized the name change as a political stunt. The White House has not released a precise budget, but analysts estimate costs could exceed a billion dollars, covering updates to uniforms, signage, email systems, and other branding changes.
A Pentagon official said, “Costs will vary as we implement the directive to restore the War Department’s name. We will provide a more detailed estimate later.”
Broader Policy Context
Hegseth has supported Trump’s anti-“woke” military policies, including removing transgender troops and restoring original base names previously renamed under the Biden administration.
Reviving Military Tradition
The War Department’s restoration marks a return to America’s historic military roots, emphasizing strength, victory, and a warrior mindset that Trump says reflects the country’s global role today.