Trump To Rename Pentagon As Department Of War
US President Donald Trump is proceeding with his plans to rename the Pentagon, instructing that it be formally known as the Department of War.
Under the draft executive order, which the BBC has seen, Trump will sign the directive on Friday, ordering the Department of Defense to take on “Department of War” as an alternative name. The directive also states that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be named the Secretary of War in official situations.
A Return to a Historic Name
The suggested rebrand is historically based in the U.S. The War Department, which was established in 1789, administered America’s military until it was abolished in 1947, when the Department of Defense was formed. Trump has consistently proposed restoring the original name, claiming it more accurately depicts America’s military heritage.
The term ‘Department of War’ sends a stronger message of preparedness and determination than ‘Department of Defense,’ which stresses defense only,” the executive order reads.
Congressional Role and Legal Barriers
Although Trump may order symbolic shifts via executive order, officially renaming the Pentagon must be approved by Congress because establishing and modifying executive departments is under the purview of the U.S. Congress.
Nevertheless, Trump has been optimistic that members of Congress will back the step if necessary. “I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that. I don’t even think we need that,” Trump recently stated. “But, if we need that, I’m sure Congress will go along.”
A Shift in Military Focus
Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth have presented the rebranding as a broader initiative to reclaim the Pentagon for warfighting and a “warrior ethos.” They have denounced what they call excessive focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs as “woke ideology” that distracts from the department’s fundamental mission.
Adherents believe the symbolic adjustment will solidify America’s position in the world, marking a harder, more aggressive military persona. Opponents contend the action is mainly rhetorical and can further politicize splits on the path of American defense policy.
The directive represents one of Trump’s most explicit efforts to rebrand the Pentagon’s public image, reconnecting language that characterized U.S. combat triumphs in both global wars.
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