U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday (September 5, 2025) to rename the Department of Defence the "Department of War," reverting to a title it held until after World War II when officials sought to emphasize the Pentagon's role in preventing conflict.
Mr. Trump's move represented his latest effort to rebrand the U.S. military, which has included his decision to preside over an extraordinary military parade in downtown Washington, D.C., and to restore the original names of military bases that were changed after racial justice protests in 2020.
Trump to seek 'Department of War' rebranding for Pentagon
Mr. Trump has also challenged conventional norms over domestic deployment of the U.S. armed forces, creating military zones along the southern U.S. border with Mexico to aid an immigration crackdown as well as deploying troops in cities like Los Angeles and Washington.
The order would authorize Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and subordinate officials to use secondary titles such as "Secretary of War" and "Deputy Secretary of War" in official correspondence and public communications, according to a White House fact sheet.
