President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday renaming the Department of Defense the Department of War.

The formal renaming of the department would require Congress to act, but the order is expected to say the new name can be used in official correspondence and ceremonial contexts and non-statutory documents.

The Secretary of Defense may also use the title of Secretary of War under the order, the White House confirmed.

President Donald Trump speaks as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth holds a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

"This is something we thought long and hard about," Trump said in the Oval Office, where he was flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth said the name

See Full Page