Strategy or Propaganda: Why Trump Renamed Department of Defense to Department of War

US President Donald Trump didn't wait long to change the name of the Pentagon from the Department of Defense to the Department of War, less than two weeks after first proposing the idea.

The amendment was expected to pass through Congress, but Trump surprised everyone by signing an executive order on September 5, citing rhetorical and ideological motivations related to historical symbolism and military power.

On the other hand, analysts suggested that the timing of Trump's executive order may be linked to his anger over China's huge military parade this week, which showcased its military capabilities and its alliances with Russia and North Korea.

Observers believe that the new name could be interpreted as a strategic shift towards a more aggressive approach, which threatens to undermine the US image as a stabilizing ally.

Although Trump had repeatedly hinted at his desire to revert to the name Department of War, this move has sparked debate about its reasons, motivations, legal basis, implications, and potential consequences.

It's worth noting that the U.S. used the name ‘Department of War’ for its military until 1949, when it was renamed the ‘Department of Defense’ under comprehensive reforms within the National Security Act of 1947.

Military Power

US President Donald Trump recently issued an order to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a surprising move that has sparked widespread debate about the US's military role in the world. 

“We won World War I, World War II, and all the previous conflicts, then we decided to become liberal and politically correct, so we changed the name to the Department of Defense, and now we’re going back to calling it the Department of War,” he said.

Trump, who received five deferments from military service during the Vietnam War, explained that the new name would project a more assertive and aggressive image of the US military, sending a message of strength to both allies and adversaries.

In related news, the Pentagon has already changed its name on X from Department of Defense to Department of War, and its website address from Defense.gov to War.gov.

The White House stated that the purpose of the name change is to impose peace through strength and ensure that the world respects the U.S. again.

Minister of War Pete Hegseth also supported Trump’s latest decision, indicating that it would help instill a warrior spirit within the department.

Trump and Hegseth have repeatedly expressed their desire to change the department’s name, as part of several initiatives launched by the administration under its warrior ethos campaign at the Pentagon.

Dan Caldwell, a former aide to Hegseth, explained that the U.S. has been waging wars and intervening in conflicts since 1947.

Meanwhile, US officials revealed that Trump's executive order will not officially change the name of the ‘Department of Defense’, but it will allow the use of the ‘Department of War’ title as a secondary designation in official correspondence. This alternative solution avoids the need for immediate congressional action.

The renaming comes at a time when Trump has stated his desire to eliminate unnecessary government spending, which has already led to significant cuts, including within the Department of Defense.

Many officials within the Pentagon have expressed frustration, anger, and confusion regarding this move, considering it potentially costly, complex, and failing to address the real strategic challenges facing the United States.

The White House is yet to say how much a rebrand would cost, but US media outlets expect it to reach $1 billion.

In response to questions about the potential cost of this move, Trump said, “We know how to rename the department without straining the treasury.”

The Pentagon is the largest component of the US federal government, with its budget under Trump projected to reach nearly $1.01 trillion in fiscal year 2026.

Historic Shift

It should be noted that renaming any federal executive department requires congressional approval, but with Republican majorities in both the Senate and the House, this will likely facilitate future legislative efforts to formalize the change.

Reactions within Congress were mixed, with some Republicans, such as Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, supporting the move and introducing bills to formally adopt it.

Sen. Scott described the change as reflecting the true capabilities of the US military to win wars, not just react to them.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Oklahoma and a member of the Armed Services Committee, praised Trump, saying, “He ends wars, he doesn't start them.”

She noted that the renaming reflects the seriousness of the national security mission and a return to our military history.

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, who served as chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell, said the name change highlights the shift in the military's approach from defense to offense.

For his part, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, offered sharp criticism, arguing that the renaming is meaningless unless it is accompanied by a substantial increase in the defense budget.

Trump's decision also sparked sharp criticism from Democrats, who described the move as a political stunt aimed at diverting attention from core defense issues.

They noted that the move comes at a time when the U.S. faces complex challenges such as modernizing its nuclear arsenal and deterring both Russia and China.

Democratic Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey said the renaming was a childish idea, adding that “Americans want to prevent wars, not tout them.”

Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen criticized the move, arguing that it distracts from real problems such as troop readiness and securing the necessary resources for their mission.

“The insecure, overcompensating war mongers around Trump — who convinced him to change the name of the Department of Defense — now seem to be trying to goad Venezuela into a war absolutely no one wants,” Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy wrote on X.

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot, wrote: “Only those who avoided military service would want to change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.”

Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth questioned the wisdom of spending money on this name change instead of supporting military families or hiring diplomats to help resolve conflicts around the world.

She pointed out significant concerns about the actual cost of the change, such as updating Pentagon agencies, global military bases, and uniforms used worldwide.

Trump's Strategy

In another context, The New York Times considered the change as reflecting the contradictions and hypocrisy in Trump's presidency and his image to the world, between his rhetoric of peace and ending wars, and his practices based on displaying power.

“On one hand, Trump seeks the Nobel Peace Prize, and on the other, he promotes a more aggressive use of US military force,” it noted.

When asked days ago how he reconciles a Department of War with his pursuit of peace, Trump saw no contradiction, believing that he achieved peace because his country is strong, claiming that he ended at least seven wars. 

However, in a social media post on the morning of September 6, Trump hinted that he would go to war with the city of Chicago, threatening a tough crackdown on immigration.

“He ran as an anti-war candidate, but he has proven otherwise,” said Matthew Duss, Executive Vice-President at the Center for International Policy.

“This move underscores that Trump is more interested in aggressive posturing than genuine peacemaking, with serious consequences for American security, global standing, and the safety of our armed forces,” he added.

Analysts have suggested that Trump wants the Pentagon to not only change the name, but also to shift the military’s culture toward a more aggressive, war-ready image, while reinforcing the symbolic identity of the US military.

This latest move is part of Trump’s broader campaign to reshape the image of the US federal government, which includes renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “American Gulf” and restoring the original names of military bases.

Trump’s efforts began early, with his decision to stage a special military parade in downtown Washington, DC, coinciding with his birthday.

His administration has also recently deployed military troops to Los Angeles and Washington, DC, and established military zones along the border with Mexico, in direct defiance of established norms regarding the deployment of US military forces domestically.

Trump’s one big investment in defense is the Golden Dome, his plan to build a coast-to-coast missile defense. 

Trump’s latest move also aligns with his strategy of restoring traditional American values, which his supporters extol, as well as bolstering his image as a strong and decisive leader. 

In March, Trump launched a month-long military campaign against the Houthis, but failed to halt their military activities in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

He also ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in June, amid suspicions that Iran was continuing its nuclear program.

Currently, Trump is threatening a military campaign in Venezuela, which could escalate into a war with its southern neighbor, under the pretexts of combating drug trafficking, immigration, and securing the southern border.