Trump Renames Department of Defense to Department of War, Declares “Message of Victory”

On September 6, President Donald Trump officially signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, calling it a “message of victory” to the world.

At a White House ceremony, Trump argued that the current name, in use for more than 70 years, was too “politically correct” and failed to reflect the global reality today.

“I think it sends a message of victory,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “This is a much more appropriate name in the context of the world today.”

According to AFP, Trump cannot legally rename the Department of Defense without congressional approval, but the order allows the new title to be used as an “alternative designation.”

The move quickly gained the backing of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said it was about more than words — it was about reviving the warrior spirit.
“This is not just renaming, it is restoring the warrior spirit. Maximum lethality, not shallow legality. Real impact, not political correctness. We will train warriors, not just defenders,” he said.

Trump also blamed America’s military failures after World Wars I and II on what he described as the overly “political and weak” decision to change the original name. The United States had used the title “Department of War” from 1789 to 1947.

The renaming is part of Trump’s broader effort to project American strength at home and abroad in his second term, aligning with his ultimate guiding principle: making America great again.

Democrats, however, slammed the move as a costly political stunt aimed at cementing Trump’s personal legacy. U.S. media outlets estimate the rebrand could cost billions of dollars to update logos, email systems, uniforms, and the structures of hundreds of agencies. A Pentagon official said expenses will be revealed once the order is implemented.

Why Trump Wants the Name Change

Trump has said he wants the renaming to evoke America’s military might and readiness to fight. On September 5, he signed the executive order — the 200th of his presidency — officially directing the change.

“The name ‘Department of War’ sends a stronger message of determination and combat readiness than the name ‘Department of Defense,’ which merely emphasizes defense,” the order states.

The directive instructs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to propose legislative and executive measures to make “Department of War” the official name, since Trump cannot unilaterally rename a federal department without congressional approval. While Congress controls the creation of executive agencies, Trump’s order permits Defense leaders to use the secondary titles “Secretary of War” and “Deputy Secretary of War” in the meantime.

Trump’s aim, according to the White House, is to reshape the military’s image to reflect decisive action and send a clear message that the U.S. is ready to act with force.

The “Department of War” was originally created in 1789 by George Washington to oversee the Army, while John Adams later added the Department of the Navy in 1798. That structure lasted until 1947, when President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act to merge the War Department, Navy Department, and the newly formed Air Force into the National Military Establishment, later renamed the Department of Defense in 1949.

Truman said his goal was to unify the armed forces under civilian leadership while avoiding placing one branch under another. Richard H. Kohn, professor emeritus of military history at the University of North Carolina, noted that Truman’s decision reflected the expanded role of defense, including diplomacy, intelligence, and above all, national security.
“In the early nuclear era, the new name also reflected a desire to avoid war,” Kohn said. “The message was that America would defend itself, but was not seeking conflict.”

Trump, however, has increasingly sought to expand the military’s role during his second term — ordering airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, dispatching Navy warships to target “narco-boats” off Venezuela, and deploying the National Guard to U.S. cities to combat crime.

He first floated the idea of restoring the “War Department” name in late August, suggesting it would recall past American victories.
“Back then it was called the Department of War — much stronger. As you know, we won World War I, we won World War II. Now we have a Department of Defense, with defenders,” he said at the White House on August 25.

Trump argued the name change decades ago stemmed from “political correctness,” saying the term “defense” sounded “too passive.” He stressed that America must be prepared not only to defend, but also to strike if necessary.

“The U.S. military is the most powerful and battle-ready force in the world. The president believes the Department of Defense should have a name that reflects its superior strength and determination to protect national interests,” a White House statement read.

Both Trump and Hegseth have also criticized the Pentagon for being consumed by “woke ideology,” focusing too much on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Conservatives argue DEI weakens military culture. Trump’s administration claims Biden-era DEI policies diminished morale and mission focus.

Although the rebrand may seem inconsistent with Trump’s slogan of “peace through strength,” analysts say it aligns perfectly with his rallying cry to “Make America Great Again.”

Whether the effort succeeds remains uncertain, as renaming cabinet-level departments is extremely rare and requires congressional approval. Trump, however, holds a narrow Republican majority in both chambers, and key allies like Rep. James Comer have already introduced legislation to make renaming agencies easier.

The proposal has sparked concerns about costs, estimated in the tens of millions of dollars, as every sign, seal, uniform, and administrative document at the Pentagon and U.S. bases worldwide would need updates. Critics warn the move is not only expensive but could also distract the Defense Department from more urgent priorities.

Katherine Kuzminski, director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), said the name change would not alter the Pentagon’s authority or structure, but could complicate how its mission is perceived.
“The shift in terminology could make it harder for Secretary Hegseth to frame the Pentagon’s domestic roles. Deploying the National Guard for border security or immigration enforcement under the name ‘Department of War’ could raise political, perceptual, or legal challenges that wouldn’t arise under ‘Department of Defense,’” she noted.