A White House official said that President Donald Trump will sign an order on Friday to rename the Department of Defence as the “Department of War,” leaving Trump’s mark on the largest U.S. government agency.
The order lets Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others use titles such as “Secretary of War” and “Department of War” in official papers and public announcements, according to a White House fact sheet.
Hegseth will suggest steps to make the change permanent, but Congress must approve it. Since Republicans control the Senate and House, there may be little opposition to this plan.
JUST IN: Donald Trump will sign an executive order Friday to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, Fox News reports.
We are living in the dumbest of times. pic.twitter.com/qlD8FCMqxB
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 4, 2025Before 1949, the Department of Defense was called the War Department. Congress changed the name after World War II to show a focus on preventing wars in the nuclear age. Some critics, like Senator Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran, say the renaming wastes money. She said, “Trump is using the military for politics instead of helping our servicemembers.” She also said the money could support military families or diplomacy better.
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Changing the name means updating signs and letterheads worldwide, which could cost millions. For example, undoing former President Joe Biden’s renaming of nine Confederate-named bases cost the Army $39 million.
Hegseth said the change supports a “warrior spirit” beyond just the name. In August 2025, Trump said the current name is “too defensive” and called for a stronger offensive stance. Republican Representative James Comer introduced a bill to make it easier to rename agencies, supporting Trump’s idea. During Trump’s first term, FBI Director Kash Patel used “War Department” in his email signature as a nod to history.
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