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Trump wants to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War

2025-09-05 15:18:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Friday ordering the Department of Defense to be known as the Department of War.

The move would restore a name the agency last bore in the 1940s and, according to the text of the order first seen by the BBC, the aim is to "project strength and determination".

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 has not yet said how much a brand reorganization will cost, but US media outlets are expecting a price tag of $1 billion for the reorganization of hundreds of agencies, emblems, email addresses and uniforms.

The Department of Defense (DoD) - which oversees the U.S. armed services - is the successor to the Department of War, which was first established as a cabinet-level agency in 1789 and existed until 1947.

It says: “The name ‘War Department’ conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve than ‘Defense Department,’ which emphasizes only defensive capabilities.”

The order says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be known as the secretary of war. It directs him to recommend and include legislative and executive action to move toward a permanent renaming of the department.

The responsibility for creating executive departments lies with the US Congress.

In August, Trump told reporters that he was confident that Congress would support the idea — if their support were needed.

Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey said the renaming was a childish idea, adding: "Americans want to prevent wars, not advertise them."

The War Department was founded by George Washington, but was renamed after World War II.

Trump has repeatedly mentioned the idea of ??changing the name, arguing that the US has an "incredible history of victories" in both world wars under the previous name.

Trump and Hegseth have tried to refocus the department on "warfare" and a "warrior ethos."

They have argued that the department has focused too much on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, as well as "smart ideology."

Earlier on Thursday, Trump downplayed suggestions he might seek the Nobel Peace Prize.

"All I can do is stop wars. I'm not looking for attention. I just want to save lives," he told CBS News, the BBC's American partner.

The department's renaming marks the president's 200th executive order signed since he took office.

Although the renaming was long-awaited, it comes shortly after China unveiled a new range of weapons, drones and other military equipment in a massive parade that many interpreted as a clear message to the US and its allies./ CNA, translated by BBC