Trump To Rename The Department Of Defense By Executive Order
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Confirms Imminent Executive Order, Citing a Return to “Warrior Ethos” and Historic Precedent
The Department of Defense is set to be renamed the Department of War, a move confirmed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the White House. The change is scheduled to be enacted by an executive order from President Donald Trump on Friday, returning the agency to its name used until 1949.
On Thursday, Secretary Hegseth posted a tweet stating “DEPARTMENT OF WAR” in what appeared to be a confirmation of a Fox News report on the name change. The tweet aligns with his previous comments supporting the move as part of an effort to re-establish a “warrior ethos” within the armed forces.
During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Hegseth said, “We won WWI, and we won WWII, not with the Department of Defense, but with a War Department.” He added that the administration believes the change will reflect a broader focus on proactive military operations.
According to a White House official, the executive order will designate “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Pentagon, and Hegseth will be referred to as “Secretary of War.” The official stated that this change is part of the administration’s “warrior ethos” campaign, aimed at reshaping military culture.
The Department of War was a Cabinet-level department responsible for the U.S. Army before being renamed the Department of Defense in 1949 under the National Security Act of 1947. That act also created the Department of the Air Force and consolidated the military under a single secretary.
In addition to the name change, Hegseth has recently taken action to modernize the military’s capabilities. Last week, he ordered the creation of Joint Interagency Task Force 401, a unit designed to coordinate counter-drone operations across all military branches. The initiative replaces a previous Army-only program and seeks to draw on the investments of the different service branches to enhance drone defense, reflecting the growing role of drone warfare in modern conflicts.
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