Washington, September 5(HS): The White House announced that President Donald J. Trump will sign an executive order on Friday officially renaming the US Department of Defense to the Department of War. This move restores the department’s original name used until shortly after World War II, fulfilling Trump’s promise to reorganize the military mission with a stronger, more assertive identity.
According to Reports, the name change underscores Trump’s efforts to reshape the armed forces around projecting power rather than caution. He aims to replace what he called the “awareness” approach under former President Biden—which he and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized as detrimental to military morale and mission—with a clear demonstration of America’s warfighting capabilities.
Trump first floated the idea in August during an Oval Office meeting, saying simply: “It just feels better. I think we need to go back to that.” He explained that the historic name recalls America’s victorious legacy in the World Wars, implying renewed strength and resolve. In the following month, Trump praised Defense Secretary Hegseth by referring to him as “Secretary of War” on his social media platform Truth Social.
Since the Defense Department and Secretary of Defense titles are established by congressional acts, it remains uncertain when the order will take effect. Trump expressed confidence in its eventual approval during an August interview.
The restored Department of War name, used officially from 1789 until 1947, symbolizes America’s readiness not only to defend but also to aggressively confront adversaries. Trump dismissed critics who view the renaming as merely symbolic, emphasizing that the US seeks not just defense but offensive strength.
The executive order to rename the Pentagon and its top official’s title signifies a fundamental shift in US military posture and national security messaging, reviving a powerful legacy name to match Trump’s vision for a more formidable armed force.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
