On August 25, President Donald Trump first told the media and the world that he would soon issue an executive order reverting the name of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to a name it last wore in 1949 – the Department of War. The proposal immediately ignited debate over its necessity, legality, and cost. Critics argued that renaming a federal department is a power reserved for Congress, and not the President alone.
After first assuring the media that Congress would get in line and approve the initiative, the administration seems to have throttled back on those assertions and, on September 8, formally issued an executive order establishing the “Department of War” as a formal secondary name for the Department of Defense, effectively sidestepping immediate congressional approval.
Why the War Department Was Renamed the Department of Defense in 1949
The War Department existed for 158 years, from August 7, 1789, to September 18, 1947.
Under the National Security Act of 1947, the Department of the Army gave birth to the Department of the Air Force, which, together with the Department of the Navy, formed the National Military Establishment. In 1949, the National Military Establishment was renamed the Department of Defense (DoD).
The name change from the Department of War to the Department of Defense happened between 1947 and 1949. This change reflected the new realities of the post-WWII geopolitical environment.
In 1947, Congress first approved naming the new organization the National Military Establishment or “NME.” That acronym sounded too much like “enemy” and provided part of the rationale for seeking a different name.
In 1949, Congress settled on DoD, a name that emphasized the focus on preventing wars in the age of nuclear weapons as well as consolidating the military services under a single civilian-led organization.
Where the name Department of War highlighted the nation’s ability and willingness to fight and win wars, the new name would signal an emphasis on preventing war. Of course, over the last 70 years, the USA hasn’t necessarily been engaged in fewer wars, but it has been able to avoid nuclear conflicts.
Trump Renames DoD to Department of War: Reasons and Controversy
Secretary of Defense … or, if you prefer, Secretary of War … Pete Hegseth provided the administration’s reasoning behind the Department of Defense name change.
In a prepared statement, Hegseth said,
“This name change is not just about renaming, it’s about restoring. It’s going to fight to win, not to lose. We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense.”
Hegseth concluded his comments with something that sounded like the new slogan for the Department of War: “America first, peace through strength, brought to you by the War Department.” Of course, “Peace Through Strength” is already the motto of the DoD.
On the day he signed the new executive order, President Trump offered his own views on why the Pentagon should be called the Department of War when he told reporters,
“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.”
Trump added,
“We could have won every war, but we really chose to be very politically correct, or wokey, and we just fight forever.”
The Change Has Led to Criticism
The response to Hegseth and Trump’s comments has been sharp. Some have asserted that Trump’s comments, in particular, were an insult to all those who have served since 1949.
Bill Press, an opinion contributor to “The Hill,” said that Trump’s comments were a,
“...slap in the face to every brave man and woman who put on the uniform since 1949, to family members who supported them, and to leaders like Colin Powell, Norman Schwarzkopf, and Tommy Franks. It’s especially galling coming from a man who never served in the military, allegedly because of bone spurs.”
Others have questioned the exorbitant costs that such a change will drive. A Politico article published on September 4 warned that the name change will likely cost billions of dollars as hundreds of Pentagon agencies, their global bases, stationery, and other signage will need to be updated.
Whatever the figure ends up being, the name change will cost the government money after the Trump administration vowed to cut wasteful spending.
What is a Secondary Name?
The short answer is that, by issuing an executive order approving a secondary name for DoD, Trump doesn’t have to ask for congressional approval.
Under the executive order, the new title is authorized for use in public communications, official correspondence, ceremonial contexts, and non-statutory documents. It’s kind of like a nickname, something military members are very familiar with.
Additionally, the order directs all executive agencies and departments to "recognize and accommodate these secondary titles in internal and external communications," as well as instructing Hegseth to recommend actions — including executive and legislative actions — that would be required to permanently rename the department.
What that means is that Congress will likely get its opportunity to make the name change official at some point in the future … or, it will vote it down.
What This Name Change Means Moving Forward
For now, the Department of Defense will continue to operate under its official statutory name, while “Department of War” can be used in certain communications and events.
While supporters argue that a return to the “Department of War” reinforces America’s military readiness, opponents see it as a symbolic gesture that overlooks the contributions of modern service members and carries significant financial costs.
Any permanent adoption of the name would ultimately require congressional approval, ensuring that lawmakers maintain a check on executive power in such matters. As of now, whether this secondary name will become permanent remains uncertain.
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