September 8, 2025
The name ‘Department of War,’ more than the current ‘Department of Defense,’ ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend.
Part of the executive order issued Friday by President Donald Trump, renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War. The rebrand will serve as a secondary title until Congress approves the permanent name change.
Why It Matters: The department’s website now reroutes to war.gov. Social media accounts have updated to the new name, posting a video of Pete Hegseth’s nameplate being switched out. Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to make the change official.
History:
1789: Congress creates the Department of War to oversee the Army, in addition to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of the Treasury.
1798: Congress creates the Department of the Navy. The Navy was established in 1794, but this act separates it from the Department of War.
1947: Congress passes legislation to combine the Department of War, the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Air Force into the National Military Establishment, with the Secretary of Defense at the head. The Department of War is renamed the Department of the Army. President Harry Truman signs it into law under the National Security Act.
1949: The National Security Act is amended to change the National Military Establishment to the Department of Defense, expandingthe Secretary of Defense’s authority over the department.
Did You Know? The Department of the Treasury is the only department to maintain its original name.
Learn More:
- Trump launches War Department rebrand without congressional approval (Washington Post Gift Link)
- How the Department of War became the Department of Defense (Axios)
- Watch the announcement HERE.
Image Credit: U.S. Dept. of War
by Karly Code, based in Kentucky
