On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing the Pentagon to revert to its original name, the "Department of War," which it held until 1947. This act is portrayed as a symbolic gesture emphasizing "military strength" and marks the 200th executive order of Trump's current administration.
"When Mr. Trump signs the directive renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, it will be his 200th executive order since returning to the White House in January," the White House announced on its official X account. Moments ago, the president completed the signing in the Oval Office.
Though Trump cannot officially change the name without Congressional approval, the order permits the Pentagon to use "secondary titles" in official events, documents, and communications, according to an anonymous official cited by the Associated Press.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth celebrated the decision by posting "Department of War" on social media shortly after the news broke. Hegseth, a close ally of Trump, had previously promoted a public poll on the subject and frequently hinted at a possible title change for his position. "It might be a slightly different title tomorrow," he said during an event with soldiers at Fort Benning, Georgia, on Thursday.
The Department of War was established in 1789, the same year the U.S. Constitution took effect. In 1947, following World War II and in the context of the National Security Act signed that year, it was legally renamed the Department of Defense to project a less aggressive and more national security-focused stance.
During an event in August, Trump argued that "everyone loved that we had an incredible track record of victories when it was the Department of War. Then we changed it to the Department of Defense." The president asserted that while Congress should be involved for a permanent change, his administration "will just do it" and expressed confidence that legislators "will agree."
This move is part of a cultural agenda promoted by Hegseth since taking office, which includes eliminating diversity programs, reviewing military libraries, and removing materials deemed "divisive" in military academies and websites. "Anyone in the Department of Defense who says diversity is our strength is, frankly, wrong," stated Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell last March.
Understanding Trump's Executive Order on the Pentagon's Name Change
Why did Trump decide to change the Pentagon's name back to "Department of War"?
Trump's decision is portrayed as a symbolic gesture to emphasize military strength and align with a historical name associated with past military victories.
Can the name change be made official without Congress?
No, an official name change requires Congressional approval. The executive order allows the Pentagon to use "secondary titles" in official contexts.
What was the original purpose of renaming the Department of War to the Department of Defense in 1947?
The rename in 1947 aimed to project a less aggressive stance and focus more on national security following World War II.