Trump adds title Department of War to Defense Department

A formal name change for the department will need congressional approval.

Published: September 5, 2025 4:20pm

Updated: September 5, 2025 4:26pm

President Donald Trump announced on Friday afternoon that he is rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War, by making the Department of War its secondary title.

The executive order makes the Department of War a "secondary" title for the Department of Defense, and "secretary of war" a secondary title for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Republican lawmakers also unveiled legislation to restore the "Department of War" name to the Defense Department on Friday.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.