Trump Plans Executive Order Renaming Defense Department War

President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, signaling a shift toward emphasizing military strength and offense alongside defense. While a formal name change would require congressional approval, the executive order will allow the use of "secondary titles" such as Department of War and Secretary of War in official communications and events. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly supported this move, which reflects Trump's view that the current name, Department of Defense, is too passive and does not account for offensive military power. The Department of War was the original title established by Congress in 1789 and lasted until 1947, when it was reorganized into the Department of Defense. The proposed rebranding aims to project America's readiness to use force to protect its interests, though legal and political challenges may arise. Trump's administration is exploring ways to implement the change without requiring a full congressional vote, despite Republican control of both chambers.