UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just signed an executive order renaming the Pentagon to the “Department of War,” marking a dramatic shift in U.S. military branding. This bold move, announced in a ceremony at the White House on July 15, 2025, aims to emphasize the country’s commitment to military dominance.
In a statement during the signing, Trump declared, “It’s a very important change, because it’s an attitude. It’s really about winning.” This rebranding effort is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at reshaping the military’s image, including plans for a grand military parade in Washington, D.C., and the restoration of traditional names for military bases previously altered after the racial justice protests in 2020.
The executive order empowers Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to adopt titles such as “Secretary of War” and “Deputy Secretary of War” in official communications. This move, however, is not without complications. Changing the department’s name will incur significant costs, requiring updates to signage and letterheads at military installations worldwide. For context, former President Joe Biden‘s attempt to rename nine bases honoring Confederate leaders was projected to cost the Army $39 million.
Trump’s administration questions whether Congressional approval is necessary for this name change, despite the slim Republican majority in both the Senate and House. On the same day, Republican Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Rick Scott of Florida, along with Representative Greg Steube of Florida, introduced legislation to support the renaming.
Hegseth, who has long advocated for this change, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We’re going to go on the offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality.” Critics, however, argue that this name change is a costly distraction from pressing military issues.
The Pentagon was previously known as the War Department until 1949, when the name was changed as part of a broader consolidation of military branches post-World War II. Historians have noted that the original title was intended to reflect a focus on conflict prevention in the nuclear age.
As this story develops, all eyes will be on how Congress reacts to this executive order and what implications it will have for U.S. military policy moving forward. The urgency of this change underscores a pivotal moment in American military history, raising questions about the future and direction of the armed forces.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.
