In an expression of bellicosity not seen since... well... Joe Biden threatened to “end” the Nord Stream pipeline while then-German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stood passively by his side at the White House, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 5 rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War. Trump’s theory, as expressed in the EO, is that the Department of War won wars. “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,” he claimed.
“We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct,” Secretary of Defense... er War Pete Hegseth said during the Sept. 5 signing ceremony. “We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders.”
Within minutes, the Pentagon website changed from “defense.gov” to “war.gov” and Hegseth had changed the name plate on the door to his office from “Secretary of Defense” to “Secretary of War.” Pentagon employees are now faced with the monumental task of changing DOD seals at facilities in 40 countries and all 50 U.S. states, on everything from buildings to letterhead and even napkins.
The rebrand may be pumping up Hegseth’s biceps but legally, it’s still the Department of Defense. That won’t change until Congress passes legislation permanently authorizing the name change.
