US President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Friday that will temporarily rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, reviving a title last used more than seven decades ago. The text of the order, reviewed by the BBC, states that the purpose of the change is to “project strength and resolve.”
According to the document, the new designation will initially serve as a secondary title while the administration works with Congress to secure approval for a permanent rebranding. Until then, official documents, communications, and branding will carry both names.
The potential cost of such a sweeping rebrand remains unclear. The White House has not released estimates, but US media reports suggest the overhaul could cost taxpayers billions of dollars. The change would involve redesigning hundreds of agency seals and emblems, updating email systems, and altering uniforms across all branches of the armed services.
The Department of Defense, often referred to as the Pentagon, is the modern successor to the War Department, which was created in 1789 as a cabinet-level agency. The War Department was dissolved in 1947 when Congress passed the National Security Act, reorganizing the US military under the new Department of Defense structure.
The order argues that the term “Defense” does not adequately reflect America’s military posture, suggesting that “War” sends a stronger message of deterrence. It also instructs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to adopt the title “Secretary of War” and to prepare legislative and executive proposals aimed at making the renaming permanent.
While presidents can issue executive orders to direct federal agencies, the creation or rebranding of cabinet-level departments typically requires congressional approval. Trump, however, has signaled confidence that lawmakers will support the move if their consent is necessary. “Congress will back this,” he said last month, adding that the symbolic weight of the name “Department of War” would resonate with both allies and adversaries.
Reactions to the planned change are already polarizing. Supporters say the name reflects American history and portrays a clear stance on military readiness. Critics warn it could damage diplomatic relations by appearing overly aggressive, particularly at a time when Washington is already navigating complex conflicts abroad.
If approved, this would mark the first renaming of a major US executive department in nearly eight decades, placing Trump’s administration at the center of a debate about the nation’s military identity. For now, the Pentagon will begin transitioning to dual branding, with “Department of War” gradually introduced into official communications while awaiting Congress’s decision.
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