Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order restoring the Pentagon’s historic name, the “Department of War.” The announcement was made at the Oval Office on Friday.
The White House said the order takes effect immediately. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will now be known as “War Secretary,” and all official communications and documents will use the terms “War Department” and “Deputy War Secretary.”
Pentagon staff have already replaced signage outside the Secretary’s office. The department’s website has also been rebranded, shifting from defense.gov to war.gov, with the abbreviation changed from DoD to DoW.
At the signing, Trump said the name change reflects the current global climate. “In today’s world, this is the right name. America commands the most powerful military on Earth, and this designation shows our true strength,” he said.
Secretary Hegseth added that the decision is about more than just terminology. “This signals that America’s military is not only for defense — it is prepared to project force when necessary. Our troops are warriors, not just protectors,” he said.
Historical Context and Debate
The Department of War was created in 1789, the same year the U.S. Constitution took effect. In 1947, two years after World War II, it was renamed the Department of Defense to emphasize security and deterrence.
Trump’s order restores the original name, though full implementation will require Congressional approval. According to reports, Trump and Hegseth had been discussing the idea for months. Earlier this year, Hegseth ran a social media poll on the proposal and later updated his accounts to display “Department of War,” signaling the administration’s intent.
