Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is present as President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Aug. 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Credit - Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images Defense SecretaryPete Hegsethteased a new name for the Department of Defense amid word from the White House that President Donald Trump is set to officially rebrand the Department by signing an Executive Order on Friday. When leaving the Joint Base Andrews military facility in Maryland on Thursday, Hegsethtoldreporters: "Thank you for traveling with the War Department!" Hegseth continued dropping hints, later taking to social media and writing "Department of War" as he reposted a news report of the imminent name change. The Executive Order from Trump would authorize Hegseth to use the title "Secretary of War" in official correspondence and public communications, according to a White House fact sheet viewed by TIME. Other DOD officials could also follow suit, using titles such as "Deputy Secretary of War." The Order is set to instruct the Secretary of War to recommend actions, to include legislative and executive actions, required to permanently rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War. Department name changes require approval from Congress. Until approval is obtained, the "Department of War" will serve as a secondary title. As the Republicans hold slight majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives, Trump is unlikely to encounter much pushback. The renaming will mark the 200th Executive Order signed by the President since taking office. Trump has previously said that the "Department of War "sounded better" and stronger. "We want defense, but we wantoffense,too ... As Department of War we won everything, we won everything and I think we're going to have to go back to that," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Aug. 25. In the 1940s, the Department of Defense was given its current name, and department officials were titled in accordance. It wasapproved by Congressas part of the National Security Act Amendments of 1949. The DOD had previously been called the Department of War. Read More:Why Pete Hegseth's Troubles Are Giving Republicans Heartburn The expected reversion back to its former title is the latest in a series of name changes under the Trump Administration. Shortly after returning to the White House for his second term, Trump signed an Executive Order to rename the "Gulf of Mexico" as the "Gulf of America." "I am very honored to recognize Feb. 9, 2025, as the first ever Gulf of America Day," Trump said in aWhite Houseproclamation. The Trump Administration went on to change the name ofseven U.S. army basesin June. The facilities were previously named after Confederate general officers, butwere changed in 2022under the Congress-formed Naming Commission, approved by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of the Biden Administration. Trump reverted back to the names honoring confederates. The White House has yet to comment on much a rebranding of the Department of Defense would cost, but the price tag is expected to be incredibly high, as it could entail the overhaul of emblems, email addresses, uniforms, and more. Contact usatletters@time.com.
