Pete Hegseth’s job title may soon change from U.S. Secretary of Defense to Secretary of War, as President Donald Trump prepares to rebrand the Department of Defense.
According to The New York Times, Politico, and Fox News, citing a White House official, Trump will sign an executive order on Friday, Sept. 5, to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War.
The Department of War was created in 1789 under President George Washington to manage the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. In 1947, the National Security Act merged the Navy and War departments along with the new Air Force into the National Military Establishment, which was renamed the Department of Defense in 1949.
“The name ‘Department of War’ conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to ‘Department of Defense,’ which emphasizes only defensive capabilities,” the executive order will say, according to the BBC, which reviewed the document.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared to confirm the reports by reposting Fox News’ story on X Thursday night. Hegseth, who recently renamed his Pentagon conference room the “W.A.R. Room,” also shared the story on X, writing, “DEPARTMENT OF WAR.”
In March, Hegseth hinted at the change by asking his followers on X whether they preferred “Department of Defense” or “Department of War.” Most voted for “Department of War.”
Trump also spoke about the idea recently, telling reporters that Hegseth “has been incredible with the, as I call it, the Department of War.” He added, “You know we call it the Department of Defense, but between us, I think we’re going to change the name. You want to know the truth? I think we’re going to have some information on that, maybe soon.”
Changing the department’s name officially would require an act of Congress, since executive orders cannot override federal law. Congress alone has the power to create executive departments.
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Even so, the order will direct the use of alternative titles like “Secretary of War” and “Deputy Secretary of War” in official documents and communications. It will also require Hegseth to recommend legislative and executive steps needed to make the change permanent, according to Axios.
Politico, citing a source familiar with the order, reported that the White House is also exploring ways to make the change without a congressional vote.
