 |
| Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said the department now has additional money in its coffers to use to support Ukraine as it pursues its counteroffensive against Russia. — AFP |
Trump Rebrands Pentagon as Department of War to Reinforce Military Resolve
Trump orders the Pentagon rebranded as the Department of War to showcase a tougher military image. Legal wrangling and costs loom large.
President Trump is
issuing an executive order to rename the Department of Defense as the
“Department of War” as a secondary title, aiming to signal strength and
readiness—though legal and cost concerns loom.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina
Singh said the department now has additional money in its coffers to use to
support Ukraine as it pursues its counteroffensive against Russia. —
AFPPresident Donald Trump is changing the name of the Department of Defence to
the Department of War, the White House...
In a bold move that blends symbolism
with strategy, President Trump has directed the Pentagon to take on a new—and
decidedly more combative—secondary title: the Department of War. Though
the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) remains the official name established by
Congress, a presidential executive order now authorizes the use of the
“Department of War” label in communications and public appearances.The News InternationalReutersPeople.com
Trump argues that the name “Defense”
sounds too gentle in a world that courts aggression. "We were victorious
when it was the Department of War. ‘Defense’ sounds passive,” he told reporters
last month, explaining his desire to project strength and resolve.Al JazeeraReuters Defense Secretary
Pete Hegseth echoed that theme, calling for a restored "warrior
ethos" within the military and embracing titles like "Secretary of
War" even before the order was signed.People.comReuters
Yet, while this rebrand may make for a
powerful photo-op, it's not without controversy. Only Congress can officially
rename the department. Trump's order bypasses that by authorizing the use of
the older title as a secondary name—valid in ceremonial, internal, and
non-statutory correspondence—but the Department of Defense remains the legal
and official name.ReutersThe Washington Post
The ripple effects are already drawing
scrutiny. Signage, stationery, websites, and email systems across the Pentagon
and military bases worldwide would require updates to reflect the new
terminology. With an estimated cost that could rival or exceed previous
renaming efforts under the Biden administration (such as the $60 million
Confederate base renaming), critics argue the money would be better spent
supporting veterans or diplomatic efforts.ReutersThe Guardian+1Omni
Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a
military veteran, delivered a pointed critique: “If this money should go
anywhere, it’s to support military families or hire diplomats who help prevent
wars—not rename a department for political point-scoring.”Reuters
Nevertheless, Republicans holding
narrow congressional majorities have shown little will to oppose the measure,
meaning legal hurdles may not become roadblocks. Trump’s executive order also
instructs Hegseth to propose both legislative and executive actions that could
make the “Department of War” designation permanent.ReutersPeople.comCBS NewsPBS
The historical twist here is sharp.
From 1789 to 1947, the U.S. military was indeed overseen by the War Department.
After the National Security Act reorganization post–World War II, it evolved
into the Department of Defense. This shift reflected a deliberate de-escalation
of language in favor of a defensive posture appropriate to the nuclear era.Wikipedia+1 Trump’s move
signals a return to terminology that evokes past wars and victories, expressing
a more aggressive, assertive national posture.
Supporters say the change will
strengthen morale and convey clarity about U.S. military resolve. Hegseth has
already renamed Pentagon spaces, like a conference room dubbed the “W.A.R.
Room,” and embraced the “Secretary of War” title in public addresses.People.comThe Times of India
But the pushback is sharp. Analysts warn that the name change is more optics than substance. Brad Bowman, a national security expert, argued renaming the Department won’t improve readiness or capability: “Modernizing our name won’t counterbalance China’s growing military,” he said.The Guardian
In a controversial move, President Trump signed an executive order allowing the Pentagon to use the name Department of War as a secondary title, aiming to reinforce American military strength and "warrior ethos." While legal obstacles and implementation costs spark debate, supporters say it’s a powerful symbol of resolve.
#MilitaryPolicy #NationalSecurity