Former President Donald Trump has officially signed a decree renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a move that marks a significant shift in U.S. military nomenclature. This decision was announced on September 5, 2025, during a press conference at the White House.
In line with this rebranding, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth has been appointed the new Secretary of War. This change revives a title that has not been used since 1949, when the National Security Act restructured the U.S. military framework, replacing the Department of War with the Department of Defense.
The Department of War was originally established by President George Washington in 1789. However, the transition to the Department of Defense came as part of a broader effort to modernize military governance in the post-World War II era, as outlined by President Harry Truman"s 1947 legislation.
This rebranding is expected to influence military policy and public perception of U.S. defense strategies. Observers are keenly watching for the implications of this change on international relations and military engagement. For more on the recent developments surrounding Trump’s administration, see our related coverage.
