Donald Trump has signed an executive order reinstating the historic name “Department of War” for the Pentagon. The order was signed on Friday during a ceremony at the White House, attended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
This was Trump’s 200th executive order since taking office in January. With the change, Hegseth’s title is now officially Secretary of War.
🚨 President Donald J. Trump signs an Executive Order officially restoring the name “Department of War” to the Department of Defense.
This is the 200th Executive Order the President has signed since taking office. pic.twitter.com/OuLfuSoRLR
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 5, 2025
Pete Hegseth Welcomes the Change
Before the signing, Hegseth expressed strong support for the decision.
“This War Department, Mr. President, just like America, is BACK… We’re going to set the tone for this country.”
The Department of War name was last used in the 1940s before being changed to the Department of Defense.
What Donald Trump Said
Explaining his move, Donald Trump said the new name aligns with his administration’s “warrior ethos” campaign and demonstrates America’s desire to showcase its military power.
“We won the first World War. We won the second World War. We won everything before that and in between, and then we decided to go woke and we changed the name to Department of Defense. So, we’re going Department of War.”
Trump added that the change sends a powerful message to the world.
“I think it sends a message of victory… really a message of strength — we’re very strong. We’re much stronger than anyone would really understand.”
History of the Department of War
The United States first used the Department of War title until 1949. After reforms under the National Security Act of 1947, the agency was restructured and renamed the Department of Defense to unify the Army, Navy, and newly created Air Force.
Now, more than 75 years later, Donald Trump has revived the title, presenting it as a return to tradition and a symbol of American strength.
