US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to re-brand the Department of Defense as the Department of War.
The move revives a historic title and signals a tougher military posture, the White House said.
Executive order for establishing ‘Department of War’
The order authorises Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use titles such as Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War in official work.
It also directs the Pentagon to propose actions to make the change permanent through legislation.
Trump questioned whether Congress is needed, yet the order notes a legislative path and Republicans in both chambers have introduced supporting bills.
Rationale and early reaction from International partners
Trump framed the renaming as attitude and about winning. Hegseth welcomed the step and promised a focus on offence and a revived warrior ethos.
The decision follows other branding shifts, including high profile parades and reversals on base names, as the administration seeks a harder image for the armed forces.
Critics warn of cost and distraction from core readiness, while the White House argues that clarity of purpose matters.
‘Department of War’ history and what it could mean
America used the War Department name from the founding era until the late 1940s, when Congress created the modern Defense Department after WW-2 to stress deterrence in the nuclear age.
Any permanent renaming would normally require congressional approval, so agencies now begin legal and budget reviews while lawmakers debate scope and cost.
For international partners the signal is of a more assertive US defense stance, which can affect regional security talks and military cooperation.
The administration says the change will proceed while legislation advances, and agencies will update seals titles and communications in phases.
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