Executive Order Signed
On September 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 200, authorizing the Department of Defense to change its name to the Department of War. The signing took place in the Oval Office, where the President emphasized that the new name "sends a message of victory, a message of strength" to the world.
Rationale Behind the Name Change
According to the President, the name change is intended to reflect a more assertive approach to military operations. "It has to do with winning," Trump stated. "We should have won every war. We could have won every war. But we really chose to be very politically correct or woke." The President cited past military successes, noting that the U.S. "won the first World War. We won the second World War. We won everything before that and in between." He argued that the subsequent name change to the Department of Defense was a departure from this tradition of strength.
Historical Context
The Department of War was the original name of the U.S. military's executive department, established in 1789. It was renamed the National Military Establishment in 1947, and then the Department of Defense in 1949. The name change to Department of War revives a designation that had been abandoned for over 75 years.
Implementation and Implications
The executive order authorizes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and subordinate officials to use secondary titles such as "Secretary of War" and "Deputy Secretary of War." The Pentagon's signage has already been updated to reflect the new name, with "Secretary of Defense" changed to "Secretary of War."
Reaction and Analysis
The decision to rename the Department of Defense has sparked discussion about the implications for U.S. military policy and global perception. While some see the move as a bold declaration of American military strength, others view it as a symbolic retreat from modern international relations into a past era of military glory.
The renaming has also raised questions about the potential impact on the U.S. military's role in global conflicts and its approach to homeland defense.
Department's Future Operations
The Department of War will maintain its existing structure and responsibilities, with the same personnel and operational procedures. The name change is seen as a signal of the administration's priorities and approach to national security.
Expert Insights
Dr. Kingsley Wilson, Pentagon press secretary, stated that the rebranding is a "bold declaration that the U.S. is again focused squarely on homeland defense." This perspective suggests that the name change is part of a broader effort to reorient the military's priorities.
Conclusion
The renaming of the Department of Defense to the Department of War marks a significant shift in the U.S. military's branding and potentially its approach to global conflicts. As the department begins operating under its new name, questions remain about the implications for U.S. military policy and international relations.
The full impact of this change will become clearer as the Department of War begins its operations.
Additional Background
The Department of War was originally established to oversee the U.S. Army and later expanded to include the U.S. Navy. The name change to the Department of Defense in 1949 was part of a broader reorganization of the U.S. military.
Future Developments
As the Department of War begins operating under its new name, there may be further changes to its structure, personnel, or procedures. The administration has indicated that the name change is part of a broader effort to reorient the military's priorities and approach to national security.
Detailed Analysis
A detailed analysis of the implications of the name change will require ongoing monitoring of the Department of War's operations and policy developments.
Related Facts
- The Department of War was established in 1789.
- The Department of Defense was renamed from the National Military Establishment in 1949.
- The executive order was signed on September 5, 2025.