Trump Signs Executive Order Renaming Defense Department
On Friday, President Donald Trump officially signed his 200th executive order. This particular order enables the Department of Defense to revert back to being referred to as the “War Department.”
From the Oval Office, Trump explained that this name change will convey a “message of victory, a message of power.” He elaborated, saying, “It has something to do with winning. We should have won every war. We could have won every war. But, perhaps, we chose to be—well, very politically correct.” He reflected on historical victories, mentioning, “We won World War I, we won World War II, and, frankly, we decided that after those times, we woke up and changed our title to the Department of Defense.”
Restoring a Historic Title
Trump emphasized that the name “War Department” is much more fitting, especially in today’s global landscape. He remarked, “We have the most powerful army in the world. Our equipment is top-of-the-line. Our people are incredible. Other factories can’t even compare.”
Turning to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses, Trump grinned and suggested he say a few words. Hegses thanked Trump for the decision, expressing that renaming the department would help restore the “warrior spirit” within the U.S. military.
Restructuring Military Philosophy
Drawing from historical context, Hegses mentioned that after the War of Independence, George Washington established the War Bureau, with Henry Knox as the first war chief. He noted that the U.S. has triumphed in all major conflicts since then, saying, “150 years later, we shifted to the Department of Defense in 1947 post-World War II.”
He continued, emphasizing that the name change goes beyond mere semantics. Hegses stated, “This is about recovery, not just renaming. The language we use matters. It’s about restoring the spirit of victory and clarity, and realigning our purpose with the use of force.” He asserted that the military would aim to engage decisively, focusing on winning rather than infinite conflicts.
Addressing Bias in the Military
The executive order, according to a fact sheet from the White House, indicates that “War Department” will serve as a supplemental title alongside phrases like “Secretary of War.” However, it remains uncertain whether Congress will need to approve this change, considering they hold the power to establish federal enforcement units.
Despite any potential obstacles, Trump expressed optimism, saying, “We use it. We do it very strongly… and we’ll put it before Congress.”
