US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War, a move aimed at projecting strength on the global stage. The department’s original name, used from 1789 to 1947, has been reinstated as part of Trump’s broader plan to reorient the military. According to the order, the new name better reflects the country’s ability and willingness to fight and win wars, rather than just defending against them.

The change is part of a post-World War II reorganization, which initially led to the department being renamed by President Harry Truman in 1947. Trump’s order states that the new name ensures peace through strength, demonstrating the nation’s ability to engage in conflicts at a moment’s notice. The president believes the new name sends a message of victory, emphasizing the importance of being ready to strike and dominate.

The US Congress must approve the name change, but in the meantime, Trump has authorized Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to be referred to as the Secretary of War as an additional title. The Pentagon’s website has been updated to war.gov, and office signs for Hegseth have been revised to reflect the change. Pentagon spokeswoman Kingsley Wilson applauded Trump’s decision, stating that defense alone is not enough and that the department must be prepared to take a more assertive stance.

The move is seen as part of Trump’s efforts to purge the military of what he calls “woke ideology” and to reassert the country’s military prowess. While the name change may be largely symbolic, it reflects a shift in the administration’s approach to national security and defense. The US Congress will need to weigh in on the proposal, and it remains to be seen whether the change will be approved. Regardless of the outcome, the move highlights the ongoing debate about the role of the military in US foreign policy and the country’s approach to global conflicts.