U.S. President Donald Trump has officially signed a sweeping executive order that reinstates the historic name “Department of War” for what has been known since 1949 as the Department of Defense, a move he described as both symbolic and strategic in reshaping America’s military posture.
The announcement was made on Friday during a televised ceremony held in the Oval Office, where Trump, flanked by top military and civilian leaders, emphasized that the renaming was not merely cosmetic but a declaration of intent. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was formally introduced with his new title, “Secretary of War,” while Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg was redesignated “Deputy Secretary of War.”
“It’s a very important change, because it’s an attitude,” Trump declared as he signed the order. “For too long, we’ve had a Department of Defense that focused on reacting. This is about winning, taking the fight to our enemies, and ensuring that the United States remains unmatched in strength.”
The Pentagon wasted no time in executing the directive. By Saturday morning, workers had begun replacing signage at the iconic Arlington, Virginia headquarters. Military websites, correspondence, and internal communications were also being updated to reflect the rebrand, underscoring the administration’s urgency in cementing the change.
Secretary Hegseth, who has long pushed for the return of the historic title, echoed Trump’s sentiments. “We’re going to go on the offense, not just on defense. This is about maximum lethality, not tepid legality. America must project dominance, not hesitation,” he said in his first public remarks under his new title.
The decision marks a symbolic return to U.S. military tradition. The original War Department, established in 1789, managed the Army and Navy for more than 150 years. It was dissolved and reorganized by Congress in 1949 after World War II, in part to reflect the need for coordination in the atomic age and to frame America’s mission around deterrence and defense rather than aggression.
Critics, however, argue that the move could send a provocative message internationally. Some foreign policy analysts expressed concern that the rebranding might escalate tensions with rivals, framing U.S. policy in more combative terms at a time when global conflicts are already on the rise. Supporters, on the other hand, hailed the decision as a bold step that restores clarity to America’s military purpose.
Earlier this week, during a White House meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Trump foreshadowed the announcement, stating: “We had an unbelievable history of victory when it was Department of War. Then we changed it to Department of Defense. This new name tells our adversaries exactly what we stand for.”
The renaming of the Pentagon’s central institution adds another chapter to Trump’s record of bold, controversial, and highly symbolic policy shifts as he continues reshaping America’s role on the global stage.
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