US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that directs the Department of Defense to be known as the Department of War. The move restores a name the agency last held in the 1940s and, according to the text of the order seen by the BBC, the aim is to project strength and resolve.
The department will initially use the new name as a secondary title while the administration seeks congressional approval to make the change permanent. The White House is yet to say how much a rebrand would cost, but US media expect a billion-dollar price tag for the overhaul of hundreds of agencies, emblems, email addresses and uniforms.
The Department of Defense (DoD) - which oversees the US armed services - is the successor to the War Department, which was first established as a cabinet-level agency in 1789 and existed until 1947. The executive order says: The name 'Department of War' conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to 'Department of Defense,' which emphasizes only defensive capabilities.
I think it's a much more appropriate name, in light of where the world is right now, Trump stated in the Oval Office on Friday, adding that it sends a message of victory. The order also designates Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as the secretary of war, instructing him to recommend legislative and executive actions to facilitate the permanent renaming.
Hegseth remarked, this name change is not just about renaming, it's about restoring, emphasizing that words matter as they transition focus to offensive military actions. The Pentagon's website has already changed to war.gov, reflecting the new branding.
The proposal must be approved by Congress, with Trump expressing confidence in their support if needed. However, Democratic Senator Andy Kim criticized the renaming as a childish notion, arguing Americans wish to prevent wars rather than celebrate them.
The Department of War was initially set up by George Washington and was rebranded post-World War Two. Trump's push for this name change has been ongoing; he cites the US's historical victories under this title as rationale.
Critics argue the renaming coincides with a strategy shift towards a more aggressive military posture, distancing from diversity and inclusivity efforts. This marks Trump's 200th executive order in office, trailing in the wake of China's recent military advancements.
The department will initially use the new name as a secondary title while the administration seeks congressional approval to make the change permanent. The White House is yet to say how much a rebrand would cost, but US media expect a billion-dollar price tag for the overhaul of hundreds of agencies, emblems, email addresses and uniforms.
The Department of Defense (DoD) - which oversees the US armed services - is the successor to the War Department, which was first established as a cabinet-level agency in 1789 and existed until 1947. The executive order says: The name 'Department of War' conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to 'Department of Defense,' which emphasizes only defensive capabilities.
I think it's a much more appropriate name, in light of where the world is right now, Trump stated in the Oval Office on Friday, adding that it sends a message of victory. The order also designates Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as the secretary of war, instructing him to recommend legislative and executive actions to facilitate the permanent renaming.
Hegseth remarked, this name change is not just about renaming, it's about restoring, emphasizing that words matter as they transition focus to offensive military actions. The Pentagon's website has already changed to war.gov, reflecting the new branding.
The proposal must be approved by Congress, with Trump expressing confidence in their support if needed. However, Democratic Senator Andy Kim criticized the renaming as a childish notion, arguing Americans wish to prevent wars rather than celebrate them.
The Department of War was initially set up by George Washington and was rebranded post-World War Two. Trump's push for this name change has been ongoing; he cites the US's historical victories under this title as rationale.
Critics argue the renaming coincides with a strategy shift towards a more aggressive military posture, distancing from diversity and inclusivity efforts. This marks Trump's 200th executive order in office, trailing in the wake of China's recent military advancements.
