Donald Trump is back with another executive order—this time aiming to rename the Pentagon’s Department of Defense to the Department of War.
The move, not seen since 1947, is meant to project strength. Documents seen by the BBC say Trump believes “Defense” sounds passive, while “War” sends a stronger message. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly on board, tasked with making the change stick.
Hegseth told Fox News, “We won WWI and WWII with a War Department. We’re not just defense—we’re offense,” pushing a return to a “warrior ethos.”
Online, reactions are scathing. Critics call it unnecessary, embarrassing, and expensive. One user wrote, “This makes us a laughing stock.” Others compare it to Trump’s earlier failed rebrand of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
Historically, the U.S. had a Department of War until it was renamed post-WWII. Trump argues the old name better reflects America’s history of military victories.