President Donald Trump has officially renamed the Department of Defense. 

Now, according to the New York Post, it is being called the "Department of War."

Not only that, but Pete Hegseth is no longer the Secretary of Defense. Rather, he is now the Secretary of War.

BREAKING: The Department of Defense ➡️ The Department of War 🇺🇸

President Donald J. Trump just signed an Executive Order restoring the name of the Department of War.

America First. Peace Through Strength.🦅 pic.twitter.com/jzk3MGQjpT

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 5, 2025

It's official

The White House announced the name change last week. The executive order, signed by Trump, can be found in its entirety here.

The order explains the name change, stating:

The name “Department of War,” more than the current “Department of Defense,” ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend.  This name sharpens the Department’s focus on our own national interest and our adversaries’ focus on our willingness and availability to wage war to secure what is ours.  I have therefore determined that this Department should once again be known as the Department of War and the Secretary should be known as the Secretary of War.

The order also points out that Trump, in fact, is actually reverting the department's name to its original designation.

The order reads:

On August 7, 1789, 236 years ago, President George Washington signed into law a bill establishing the United States Department of War to oversee the operation and maintenance of military and naval affairs.  It was under this name that the Department of War, along with the later formed Department of the Navy, won the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II, inspiring awe and confidence in our Nation’s military, and ensuring freedom and prosperity for all Americans.  The Founders chose this name to signal our strength and resolve to the world.

This would be in line with Trump's foreign policy approach.

Secretary of War

Hegseth has taken no time to effectuate the change.

He recently posted a video to social media showing the change of the nametag on his office door.

It used to read "Pete Hegseth Department of Defense. Now, it reads, "Pete Hegseth Department of War."

The Secretary of War also posted another video, captioned, "We are the War Department."

Clearly, Hegseth is quite happy with the change.