US President Trump rebrands Department of Defense as Department of War

By R Anil Kumar

• The US Department of Defence has been renamed as Department of War, a nomenclature last used around the World War -II (1939-1945)

• President Donald Trump, who wants to end all wars in the world, renames Department of Defense as Department of War, signages at Pentagon changed

• Donald Trump said, “The name “Department of War,” more than the current “Department of Defense,” ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend.”

Washington DC. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, 5^th September, changing the Defense Department’s name to the Department of War as a secondary title. The executive order will need to be ratified by the US Congress.

According to a fact sheet released by the White House, the ‘Department of War’ conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to ‘Department of Defense’, which emphasises only “defense capabilities”.

Restoring the name ‘Department of War’ would sharpen the focus of this department on their national interests and signal to adversaries America’s readiness to wage war to secure its interests, the fact sheet said.

Prior to signing the executive order, Trump said, under the original War Department, the US achieved military victories in both world wars; however, victories turned into more prolonged conflicts that often resulted in a “sort of tie” once the War Department was rebranded as the Defense Department.

President Donald Trump said, “The name “Department of War,” more than the current “Department of Defense,” ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend.”

The Department was originally called the Department of War when it was established in 1789. But it was renamed as Department of Defence in 1947, 2 years after the end of World War II. President Donald Trump said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concurred with Trump’s contention. “We changed the name after World War II from the Department of War to the Department of Defence and … we haven’t won a major war since then,” Hegseth said.

After the order was passed, process of changing signages around the Pentagon has already started. Videos show workers replacing signages of Department of with Department of War.

Signs of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his deputy Steve Feinberg were promptly changed to “Secretary of War” and “Deputy Secretary of War” on the doors of their offices.

Workers at the Pentagon were seen scrambling to replace signages, transforming the iconic five-sided building into a living testament to Trump’s unconventional approach to global peace.

The website of the department has already been changed from defense.gov to war.gov. Its X account is now called @DeptofWar.

Ironically, the order for name change came from the president who wants to end all wars in the world. Donald Trump is demanding the Nobel Peace Prize with the claim that he has already ended seven wars in the world.

He is trying hard to end the Russia-Ukraine war, by punishing India, but has not been successful so far.

As per reports, the name change will be costly, as the government will have to replace a large number of signages, letterheads, and other stationery used not only at the Pentagon, but at all US defense establishments across the world.

On August 7, 1789, 236 years ago, President George Washington signed into law a bill establishing the United States Department of War to oversee the operation and maintenance of military and naval affairs.

It was under this name that the Department of War, along with the later formed Department of the Navy, won the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II, inspiring awe and confidence in US Nation’s military, and ensuring freedom and prosperity for all Americans.

The Founders chose this name to signal our strength and resolve to the world. The name “Department of War,” more than the current “Department of Defense,” ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend.

This name sharpens the Department’s focus on our own national interest and our adversaries’ focus on our willingness and availability to wage war to secure what is ours.

I have therefore determined that this Department should once again be known as the Department of War and the Secretary should be known as the Secretary of War- Donald Trump US President.

(With Inputs from White House)