US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Friday to rename the Department of Defence as the Department of War. A White House official told CNN the signing will take place by the end of the week. Moreover, Fox News first reported the plan before it was confirmed by the White House.

Earlier this week, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke publicly about the idea, setting the stage for Trump’s announcement.

During a meeting with reporters in the Oval Office on August 25, Trump revealed his plan to bring back the old title.

“We call it the Department of Defence, but between us, I think we’re gonna change the name,” Trump said. “We won World War 1, World War 2 - it was called the Department of War, and to me, that’s really what it is. Defence is a part of that, but I have a feeling we’re gonna be changing," he added.

Hegseth Hints at Change

On Thursday, Hegseth spoke at Fort Benning and hinted that the announcement would come the very next day.

“I would say stand by tomorrow,” Hegseth said when asked about the possible change. “It’s something that — words matter. Titles matter. Cultures matter. And George Washington founded the War Department. We’ll see.”

In the past, any name change for the department required approval from Congress. Therefore, it is uncertain whether Trump’s executive order will face legal or political challenges.

Looking Back at the Department’s History

Originally, President George Washington created the Department of War to manage the US Army. The department kept this title for more than 150 years.

Later, in 1947, President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act, which reorganized the US military. As part of this law, three separate branches merged:

• Department of the Navy

• Department of the Air Force

• Department of the Army, then called the Department of War

Two years later, in 1949, Truman officially changed the name to the Department of Defence.

Additionally, the act created the position of a civilian Secretary of Defence to lead the department. It also formed the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a group tasked with advising the president on military strategy.

Hegseth’s Recent Moves to Restore Tradition

In recent months, Hegseth has pushed for restoring traditional military names.

Earlier this year, he reversed a Biden-era decision that removed Confederate-linked names from bases such as Fort Bragg and Fort Hood.

However, while the bases kept their historic names, they were rededicated to different individuals with no ties to the Confederacy.

Furthermore, in June, Hegseth called for renaming a Navy oiler ship that honored Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist and Navy veteran.

What Lies Ahead

Trump’s decision to rename the Pentagon’s top department marks a major shift in military tradition.

Supporters argue the move restores history and reflects the department’s true mission. On the other hand, critics warn it sends the wrong message and changes the tone of US defense policy.

As of now, it remains unclear whether Congress will challenge the order. Nevertheless, Trump appears determined to move forward with the change.