U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order authorizing the Pentagon to once again use the title “Department of War,” reviving the historic name in what he calls an effort to project the strength and victories of America’s military tradition. While the official renaming of the Department of Defense would require an act of Congress, the executive order permits the use of secondary titles such as “Secretary of War” and “Department of War” in official communications. The order also directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to recommend legislative options to make the change permanent.
The Department of Defense was originally established as the Department of War in 1789, a name it carried until 1947 when President Harry Truman restructured America’s military institutions through the National Security Act. That reform created the short-lived National Military Establishment, which was later renamed the Department of Defense in 1949. President Trump has repeatedly voiced his belief that the earlier name reflected a stronger and more victorious era for the United States, telling reporters in August that “everybody likes that we had an unbelievable history of victory when it was the Department of War. Then we changed it to the Department of Defence.”
The decision has already sparked controversy. Supporters say the move restores a sense of historical pride and military identity, while critics warn it signals a more aggressive U.S. posture abroad. The announcement also comes in the context of broader cultural shifts under Secretary Hegseth, who has moved to eliminate diversity programs in the military, ordered the removal of thousands of online resources highlighting women and minority contributions, and directed reviews of books in military academies, including works on the Holocaust. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell has said these changes reflect the administration’s view that “diversity is not our strength” and that the military must focus instead on unity, discipline, and combat readiness.
Although the new title cannot be made official without congressional approval, President Trump has expressed confidence that lawmakers will eventually support the change, saying, “We’re just going to do it. I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that.” For now, the Department of Defense will continue under its current legal name while adopting the symbolic title “Department of War” as authorized by the executive order.