At Trump's Order, U.S. Department of Defense Rapidly Rebrands Website as 'Department of War'

by Choi Seoyoon

Published 07 Sep.2025 13:23(KST)

The U.S. Department of Defense has immediately begun using the new name "Department of War" in accordance with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.

On September 6 (local time), the existing name "Department of Defense" disappeared from the top of the department's website and was replaced with "Department of War." The website address also changed from "www.defense.gov" to "www.war.gov."

President Trump’s “Department of War” post on Truth Social. Screenshot from @realDonaldTrump account

President Trump signed an executive order the previous day, stating that in order for the United States to win future wars, the department's name must be changed first, and officially renamed the Department of Defense as the Department of War. The Department of Defense immediately promoted the new name by posting an article titled "Trump Renames Department of Defense as Department of War" on the front page of its website.

Citing White House materials, the department explained, "While 'Department of Defense' emphasizes only defense, 'Department of War' more clearly demonstrates readiness and determination." It also stated, "Restoring the name 'Department of War' will allow the department to focus more on national interests and send a signal to adversaries that the United States is prepared to wage war to secure its interests."

On this day, President Trump also released a new emblem on the social media platform Truth Social. The new emblem retains the image of the bald eagle, a symbol of the United States, at the center, but replaces the top label with "Department of War."

The U.S. Department of Defense website renamed as "Jeonjaengbu." Screenshot of the U.S. Department of Defense website

The executive order allows officials such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to use titles like "Secretary of War" and "Deputy Secretary of War" in official documents and protocol. It also instructs all government departments and agencies to recognize and adopt the new terminology. Secretary Hegseth has been directed to recommend administrative and legislative procedures to permanently change the department's name.

Changing the name of a government department requires congressional legislation. However, by using "Department of War" as a supplementary name for now, the administration appears to have avoided immediate legislative procedures.

The Department of War is not an unfamiliar name in American history. Established in 1789, it remained in place for over 150 years until President Harry Truman reorganized the Army and Air Force and integrated the Navy in 1947, at which point it was renamed the Department of Defense.