President Signs Historic Executive Order Restoring Military’s Original Name

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday officially designating the Pentagon as the “Department of War,” marking a dramatic return to the military’s original name that lasted from 1789 to 1947. This move represents Trump’s 200th executive order of his second term and signals a fundamental shift in how America projects military power globally.

The executive order establishes “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Department of Defense, allowing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use “Secretary of War” in official communications. Trump told reporters in August, “Everybody likes that we had an unbelievable history of victory when it was Department of War. Then we changed it to Department of Defense.”

What the Executive Order Changes

The September 5th order doesn’t completely replace the Department of Defense name but creates a dual-title system. All executive departments must now recognize and use “Department of War” in internal and external communications. The Pentagon will rename its public affairs briefing room the “Pentagon War Annex,” and officials throughout the building will update signage and materials.

Hegseth explained the reasoning on Fox News: “We won WWI, and we won WWII, not with the Department of Defense, but with a War Department, with the Department of War. As the president has said, we’re not just defense, we’re offense.”

Historical Context: From War to Defense

The original Department of War served as America’s military organization from the nation’s founding in 1789. The National Security Act of 1947 fundamentally reorganized the military establishment, merging the War Department, Navy Department, and newly created Air Force into the National Military Establishment.

Congress renamed it the Department of Defense in 1949, choosing the new name to signal that in the nuclear age, America focused on preventing wars rather than waging them. The change reflected President Harry Truman’s vision of a unified military structure emphasizing defensive capabilities.

The “Warrior Ethos” Campaign

This renaming represents the centerpiece of Trump’s broader “warrior ethos” initiative within the Pentagon. Hegseth has championed this cultural shift, stating, “We want warriors, folks that understand how to exact lethality on the enemy. We don’t want endless contingencies and just playing defense.”

The administration argues the name change will remind adversaries of America’s military victories in both World Wars, when the country emerged as a dominant global superpower. Trump emphasized that “Defense is too defensive. And we want to be defensive, but we want to be offensive too, if we have to be.”

Legal and Financial Challenges

While Trump can establish the secondary name through executive order, permanent renaming requires congressional approval. The order instructs Hegseth to propose both legislative and executive actions to make the Department of War designation permanent.

The financial implications are substantial. The Guardian reports the rebranding could cost tens of millions of dollars, requiring changes to letterheads, signs, and materials at bases worldwide. For comparison, renaming just nine Army bases in 2023 cost taxpayers $39 million.

Political and Strategic Reactions

Democratic opposition emerged immediately. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a war veteran and Armed Services Committee member, criticized the move: “Why not put this money toward supporting military families or toward employing diplomats that help prevent conflicts from starting in the first place?”

Critics argue the change represents political theater rather than substantive military reform. However, supporters contend it sends a clear message to adversaries about American resolve and restores historical military traditions.

Global Implications and Messaging

Forbes analysts note this represents Trump’s third major renaming initiative, following the restoration of Mount McKinley and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. These changes collectively signal a shift in how America presents itself internationally.

The timing coincides with America’s approaching 250th birthday celebration, suggesting these changes aim to restore what the administration views as traditional American strength and victory-focused military culture.

Implementation Timeline

The executive order takes immediate effect for government communications, though full implementation will require months of coordination across the massive Pentagon bureaucracy. USA Today reports the administration hasn’t provided specific cost estimates for the comprehensive rebranding effort.

Congressional Republicans appear unlikely to oppose permanent legislative change, though the process could take months to complete through formal legislative channels.

Looking Forward

This historic name change represents more than symbolic politics – it signals a fundamental shift in American military posture under Trump’s leadership. Whether viewed as necessary historical restoration or costly political theater, the Department of War designation will reshape how America’s military presents itself to the world.

As implementation begins, the true test will be whether this rebranding translates into meaningful military effectiveness or remains primarily a messaging exercise. The move certainly ensures America’s military identity returns to its aggressive, victory-oriented roots that defined the nation’s rise to global superpower status.

Take Action: Contact your representatives to share your views on this historic military reorganization and its implications for America’s defense spending priorities.