Is the Trump Administration Really Renaming the Pentagon to 'Department of War'?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rebranding of the Pentagon to 'Department of War' confirmed by the White House.
- The historical roots of the name date back to 1789.
- The change is part of a broader initiative to prioritize military aggression.
- President Trump aims to align military focus away from current ideologies.
- Potential implications for U.S. military policy and strategy.
Washington, Aug 31 (NationPress) The White House is advancing plans to rebrand the Pentagon, confirming that the Department of Defence will be renamed the Department of War, as reported by various local media outlets.
The Department of War, originally created by Congress in August 1789, was responsible for managing the nation’s military operations and sustaining its armed forces.
After World War II, it underwent a brief rebranding as the National Military Establishment before settling on its current designation, the Department of Defence.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly informed Fox News that this renaming is part of a larger initiative to revive what the administration believes are traditional military values.
“As President Trump stated, our military should prioritize offence—rather than just defence—which is why he has focused on warfighters at the Pentagon instead of DEI and woke ideologies,” Kelly noted in a written statement.
This confirmation follows President Trump’s indication of the change during remarks at the White House.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump suggested that the change could be implemented “within the next week or so.”
During the event, he remarked, “You know, we refer to it as the Department of Defence, but honestly, I believe we are going to change the name. You want the truth? I think we’ll have some news on that, possibly soon,” he stated.
The President emphasized the historical significance of the original name, highlighting its connection to past U.S. military victories.
“We triumphed in World War I and World War II. It was known as the Department of War. To me, that’s what it truly represents,” Trump said.
“I’m speaking with the people. Everyone appreciates that. We had an extraordinary history of success when it was the Department of War. Then we transitioned to the Department of Defence,” he added.
The 1947 National Security Act restructured the original War Department into the National Military Establishment, uniting the Army, Navy, and the newly established Air Force under one umbrella.
A later amendment in 1949 officially introduced the Department of Defence, forming the contemporary structure we recognize today.
President Trump, alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, is working to reshape the Pentagon’s image to emphasize greater assertiveness.
This strategy has involved the removal of senior military officials perceived as misaligned with the administration’s vision.