On Friday, Donald Trump signed a significant executive order aimed at rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War. This change harkens back to the department’s original name used from 1789 until 1947. According to an administration official, this directive will establish the Department of War as a secondary title, circumventing the need for congressional approval to formally rename a federal agency.
During the signing ceremony, Trump emphasized the nation’s historical military achievements, stating, “We won the first world war, we won the second world war, we won everything before that and in between.” He criticized the previous rebranding efforts, saying, “And then we decided to go woke and we changed the name to the Department of Defense.” This statement reflects a broader narrative of Trump's administration that seeks to reshape military identity.
In a swift move to implement these symbolic changes, the administration has already begun redirecting visitors of the Pentagon’s official website from defense.gov to war.gov. This rebranding initiative comes on the heels of a controversial U.S. Navy airstrike that tragically killed 11 individuals on a small boat in international waters. The military confirmed that the airstrike targeted a drug vessel linked to the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. This incident has raised questions among legal experts regarding the strike's compliance with international law.
The combination of aggressive military action alongside this symbolic rebranding appears contradictory to Trump’s self-proclaimed image as “the anti-war president.” Throughout his campaign, he promised to end ongoing conflicts and avoid initiating new wars. Despite this, Trump asserted during the signing that his focus on military strength and trade has bolstered America’s position on the global stage.
Moreover, Trump argued that the original name of the Department better encapsulates the nation’s military victories and provides a more honest representation of the department’s functions. This rebranding effort seeks to reverse the 1947 name change that emerged from postwar reforms, which prioritized defense over warfare.
In a further demonstration of military readiness, reports indicate that seven U.S. warships and one nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine are currently en route to the Caribbean in response to the recent strike. This military mobilization is part of Trump's broader strategy to address what he identifies as a significant threat from Tren de Aragua.
While the executive order signals a shift in branding, any permanent name change would still require congressional approval. Notably, Republican House member Greg Steube from Florida and Senator Mike Lee from Utah have already introduced legislation to formalize this transition to the Department of War.
This executive order and its implications raise essential questions about military policy, national identity, and the future direction of U.S. defense strategy under Trump’s administration.
