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06-09-2025
WASHINGTON: Donald Trump is to rebrand the US Department of Defense as the “Department of War”, according to the White House.
The president will today sign an executive order allowing it to be used as a secondary title for the US government’s biggest organization
It also means defence secretary Pete Hegseth will be able to refer to himself as the “secretary of war” in official communications and ceremonies.
Hegseth posted the words “DEPARTMENT OF WAR” on social media on Thursday night.
Permanently renaming the department would need congressional approval but the White House said the executive order will instruct Hegseth to begin the process.
The Department of Defense, often referred to colloquially as the Pentagon due to the shape of its Washington HQ was called the War Department until 1949.
Historians say the name was changed to show the US was focused on preventing conflict following the Second World War and the dawning of the nuclear age.
Trump raised the possibility of a change in June, when he suggested it was originally renamed to be “politically correct”.
His reversion to the more combative title could cost tens of millions, with letterheads and building signs in the US and at military bases around the world potentially needing a refresh.
Joe Biden’s effort to rename nine army bases honoring the Confederacy and Confederate leaders, set to cost $39m (£29m), was reversed by Hegseth earlier this year.
Opponents have already criticized Trump’s move.
“Why not put this money toward supporting military families or toward employing diplomats that help prevent conflicts from starting in the first place?” said Democratic senator Tammy Duckworth, a member of the armed services committee.
Trump’s other federal renaming orders include controversially labelling the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” and reverting North America’s tallest mountain, Denali in Alaska, to its former name of Mount McKinley.
The Mexican government and Alaska’s Republican senators both rejected the changes.
Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of the name change, arguing that the US had “an unbelievable history of victory” in both world wars under the previous name.
He has also expressed optimism that lawmakers would support such a change.
“I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that. I don’t even think we need that,” the president said last week but, “if we need that, I’m sure Congress will go along.”
Trump and Hegseth have sought to refocus the department on “warfighting” and a “warrior ethos”.
They have argued that the department has become too focused on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and “woke ideology”.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump downplayed suggestions about seeking the Nobel Peace Prize.
“All I can do is put out wars,” he told media. “I don’t seek attention. I just want to save lives.”
The renaming marks the president’s 200th executive order signed since he took office.
Although the renaming was somewhat expected, it comes on the heels of China unveiling a range of new weapons, drones and other military hardware in a massive parade that many interpreted as a clear message to the US and its allies. (Int’l News Desk)
