Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
President Donald Trump is anticipated to sign an executive order on Friday to officially rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, a move confirmed by a White House official to CNN. This change, which President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have recently discussed, seeks to revert the Pentagon’s designation to its historical title, reflecting the administration’s view on the department’s primary function.
Rationale for the Renaming
President Trump publicly previewed the name change last week in the Oval Office, telling reporters his administration would “change the name.” He referenced the department’s original designation during World War I and II, stating, “Defense is a part of that, but I have a feeling we’re gonna be changing.”
Defense Secretary Hegseth also hinted at the impending change on Thursday at Fort Benning, emphasizing that “words matter. Titles matter. Cultures matter.” He noted that George Washington founded the original War Department, signaling his support for the historical restoration.
Historical Context of the Department’s Name
The Department of War was initially established by President George Washington to oversee the nascent U.S. Army. Its name was later changed in 1949 to the Department of Defense as part of a significant military reorganization under President Harry Truman.
The shift to the Department of Defense followed the 1947 National Security Act, which merged the Department of the Navy, the newly formed Department of the Air Force, and the Department of the Army into the National Military Establishment. This establishment was subsequently renamed the Department of Defense in August 1949, and the act also created the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Executive Order Authority and Precedent
The previous renaming of the department in 1949 required an act of Congress. CNN has reportedly sought clarification from the White House regarding the legal mechanism President Trump plans to use for this current name change via executive order.
Related Initiatives by Secretary Hegseth
This proposed renaming aligns with a series of actions taken by Defense Secretary Hegseth aimed at altering military designations. These include reversing a Biden-era decision to remove Confederate-era names from bases, instead reverting to the original titles but officially naming them after different individuals with the same names.
In June, Hegseth also ordered the renaming of an oiler ship previously named after gay rights activist and Navy veteran Harvey Milk. This action followed a broader directive to review and potentially alter military vessel names.
The anticipated executive order to rename the Department of Defense underscores President Trump’s focus on historical nomenclature and the perceived core mission of the U.S. military. The move revives a name from the nation’s early history, signaling a broader shift in the administration’s approach to military identity and policy, while raising questions about the legislative process for such a significant change.
