Hegseth Teases Department of Defense Is Set to be Rebranded as 'Department of War'

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has teased a new name for the Department of Defense, amid reports 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, Hegseth told reporters: “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 that said the name change was imminent. TIME has reached out to the White House for comment. 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 Reuters. Other DOD officials could also follow suit, using titles such as “Deputy Secretary of War.”  Department name changes require approval from Congress. As the Republicans hold slight majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives, Trump is unlikely to encounter much pushback. Trump has previously said that the “Department of War “sounded better” and stronger. “We want defense, but we want offense, 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 was approved by Congress as 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 a White House proclamation. The Trump Administration went on to change the name of seven U.S. army bases in June. The facilities were previously named after Confederate general officers, but were changed in 2022 under 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.