Trump Signs Executive Order to Rebrand Department of Defense as Department of War

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that directs the Department of Defense to be known as the Department of War. The move restores a name the agency last held in the 1940s and, according to the text of the order seen by the BBC, the aim is to 'project strength and resolve.'

The department will initially use the new name as a 'secondary title' while the administration seeks congressional approval to make the change permanent. The White House is yet to say how much a rebrand would cost, but US media expect a billion-dollar price tag for the overhaul of hundreds of agencies, emblems, email addresses, and uniforms.

The Department of Defense (DoD), which oversees the US armed services, is the successor to the War Department, which was first established as a cabinet-level agency in 1789 and existed until 1947. The executive order states: 'The name 'Department of War' conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to 'Department of Defense,' which emphasizes only defensive capabilities.'

Trump remarked in the Oval Office, 'I think it's a much more appropriate name, in light of where the world is right now,' adding that it 'sends a message of victory.'

The order specifies that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will now be known as the secretary of war and instructs him to recommend actions to move towards a permanent renaming of the department. Hegseth commented that 'this name change is not just about renaming, it's about restoring,' emphasizing that 'words matter.'

The Pentagon's website has already been updated to reflect this change, now displaying 'war.gov' alongside the new title.

Despite the rebranding, the responsibility for creating executive departments ultimately rests with the US Congress. Trump expressed confidence he would gain congressional support if needed. In contrast, Democratic Senator Andy Kim critiqued the renaming as immature, indicating that Americans prefer to focus on preventing wars rather than promoting them.

The Department of War was originally named by George Washington but was renamed after World War II. Trump has previously hinted at this name change, citing America's historical successes in the world wars under its former title.

As the Trump administration focuses on a 'warfighting' ethos, they have criticized the Pentagon for being overly concerned with diversity and inclusion initiatives while becoming too 'woke.' This renaming marks Trump's 200th executive order since taking office.