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Key Points

President Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that would rename the Pentagon back to its original Department of War title. He argues that the historical name better reflects the military's true purpose, citing World War victories under that designation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed the change is coming as part of broader efforts to restore traditional military naming conventions. This would mark the first name change for the defense department since 1949 and follows Hegseth's reversal of several Biden-era military naming decisions.

Key Points: Trump to Rename Pentagon Department of War Through Executive Order

  • Trump cites World War victories under original Department of War name
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms change is imminent Friday
  • Original War Department established by George Washington in 1798
  • Name changed to Defense Department in 1949 under Truman reorganization
2 min read

Trump to rebrand Pentagon as 'Department of War' through executive order: White House official

President Trump plans to sign executive order changing Defense Department back to Department of War, citing historical precedent from World Wars. Defense Secretary Hegseth confirms imminent change.

"We call it the Department of Defense, but between us, I think we're gonna change the name. - Donald Trump"

Washington, September 5

US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Friday that will change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a White House official told CNN.

According to CNN, Trump previewed the move in recent days along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on August 25, Trump said, "We call it the Department of Defense, but between us, I think we're gonna change the name."

"We won the World War 1, World War 2 -- it was called the Department of War, and to me, that's really what it is. Defense is a part of that, but I have a feeling we're gonna be changing," the president said.

Fox News first reported details about the upcoming executive order. While at Fort Benning on Thursday, Hegseth also indicated the change was imminent. "I would say standby tomorrow," Hegseth said when asked about a potential change. "It's something that -- words matter. Titles matter. Cultures matter. And George Washington founded the War Department. We'll see."

CNN noted that the last time the Pentagon's name was changed, it required an act of Congress.

The Department of War was originally established by President George Washington when he created the Army. The name was later changed in 1949 during President Harry Truman's broader reorganisation of the military.

Truman signed the National Security Act in 1947, merging the Department of the Navy, the newly created Department of the Air Force, and the Department of the Army -- previously the Department of War -- into the National Military Establishment, led by a civilian secretary of defense. In August 1949, the establishment was renamed the Department of Defense, according to CNN.

The same act also created the Joint Chiefs of Staff as an advisory body to the president on military planning and strategy.

CNN further reported that the latest move comes as part of Hegseth's broader efforts to restore older military traditions. He has reversed Biden-era decisions to remove Confederate-era names from bases like Fort Bragg and Fort Hood, instead reinstating the names but officially attributing them to different individuals.

In June, Hegseth also ordered the renaming of a Navy oiler ship that had been named after gay rights activist and Navy veteran Harvey Milk.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Honestly, this feels like another distraction tactic. Instead of focusing on name changes, maybe address actual defense issues? As an Indian watching US politics, it's concerning how much energy goes into symbolic changes rather than substantive policy.
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Arjun K
The timing is interesting considering global tensions. While the historical angle makes sense, the optics aren't great when the world needs more diplomacy, not more war rhetoric. Hope this doesn't escalate tensions further.
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Sarah B
As someone who has worked in defense policy, I appreciate the historical accuracy but question the practical impact. The department's function matters more than its name. This seems like political theater rather than meaningful reform.
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Vikram M
Trump's obsession with names and symbols continues... First military bases, now this. Meanwhile, actual defense challenges continue. Feels like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. 🤦‍♂️
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Michael C
The constitutional question here is important - if this required Congressional approval last time, can an executive order really accomplish this? This might just end up in court battles rather than actual change.

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