Trump to Rename Department of Defense to Department of War

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order on Friday to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War. This change aims to emphasize a more aggressive military stance as part of the administration’s broader ‘warrior ethos’ campaign.

A White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital on Thursday that Trump will implement the name change, which will also allow for the use of titles like ‘Secretary of War’ for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The executive order is expected to call for legislative and executive actions to ensure the name change becomes permanent.

The proposed shift will require adjustments to public-facing materials, including signage at the Pentagon. According to the official, the public affairs briefing room will be renamed the ‘Pentagon War Annex’ as part of the modifications.

Trump recently expressed his belief that the historical context of the name ‘Department of War’ represents a stronger military identity. ‘Everybody likes that we had an unbelievable history of victory when it was Department of War,’ Trump stated, contrasting it with the current title.

In a Wednesday interview with ‘Fox & Friends,’ Hegseth echoed Trump’s sentiments, stating, ‘We won WWI and WWII not with the Department of Defense, but with the Department of War.’ He emphasized the intent to foster a culture within the military focused on offense rather than defense.

The Department of War title was used until 1949 when it was officially renamed the Department of Defense following the National Security Act of 1947. As part of the recent efforts, Trump has indicated his confidence that he can proceed without congressional approvals, saying, ‘We’re just going to do it.’

This executive order will mark Trump’s 200th order during his second term. It remains unclear if Congress will need to take any action to finalize the name change.