President Trump intends to issue an executive order to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War. While this action won’t legally alter the name without Congressional approval, the administration will seek legislation to formalize the change. In the interim, the Pentagon will be permitted to use the historical name as a secondary title.
A White House official confirmed these plans, noting the original Department of War was established in 1789 and renamed in 1947. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth publicly signaled his support for the renaming on social media.
Trump and Hegseth have previously discussed this initiative, with Hegseth even conducting an online poll on the subject. Hegseth recently hinted at a potential title change during a speech, suggesting his role as defense secretary may evolve.
This name change proposal is part of a broader series of policy decisions impacting the Pentagon under Hegseth‘s leadership. Since assuming office, Hegseth has focused on eliminating what he considers to be “woke culture” influences.
This initiative has led to the removal and review of numerous books from military academies, including titles on the Holocaust and a biography of Maya Angelou. Furthermore, websites honoring contributions from women and minority groups have been taken down. A Pentagon spokesperson previously stated that the administration believes the assertion that diversity is a strength is inaccurate.
Hegseth also oversaw the removal of transgender troops from the military, following an executive order from Trump. This process has been described by some as harsh and dehumanizing. Trump himself has previously indicated a preference for the “Department of War” name, citing its association with past military successes. Despite acknowledging that a formal name change necessitates Congressional approval, he expressed confidence that Congress would cooperate.
Related
