Donald Trump has announced a controversial rebranding of the Pentagon, signing an executive order to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War.
In remarks from the Oval Office, Trump argued that the name “Department of Defense” was too “woke” and did not accurately reflect America’s military power. He said the new title sends “a message of victory” and is “much more appropriate given the state of the world today.”
The change revives the department’s original name, which was used from 1789 until 1947 before being replaced during the Truman administration. Trump emphasized that the move was about “restoring” history, saying:
“We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense.”
“Maximum lethality, not tepid legality.”
“We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders.”
Following the signing, the Pentagon’s official website briefly redirected from defense.gov to war.gov. Trump also expressed confidence that Congress would approve the permanent renaming, though lawmakers ultimately hold the constitutional authority to establish or rename federal departments.
The announcement comes as part of a broader effort by Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to remove what they call “woke ideology” from the military. This includes efforts to restore the names of nine U.S. military bases that were renamed in 2023 after a congressionally mandated review stripped them of Confederate ties. Hegseth even shared a video online showing his office door marked with the new title, “Secretary of War.”
While the move appeals to Trump’s supporters who favor a more aggressive military posture, critics argue that renaming the Pentagon risks sending the wrong message internationally and could deepen domestic political divides.
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