The order permits Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials to use titles such as “Secretary of War” and “Deputy Secretary of War” in official documents and public statements. “It’s a very important change, because it’s an attitude. It’s really about winning,” Trump said at the Oval Office signing ceremony.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) September 5, 2025
Hegseth, who was introduced by Trump under the new title, welcomed the shift. “We’re going to go on the offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality,” he said.
Trump instructed Hegseth to propose measures to make the renaming permanent, though name changes have historically required congressional approval. Still, Trump questioned whether he needed Congress’ consent despite Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers.
Legislation to formalise the change was introduced on Friday by Senators Mike Lee and Rick Scott, along with Representative Greg Steube. Earlier this year, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer had put forward a bill to make it easier for presidents to reorganise and rename federal agencies.
Historians note the Pentagon’s original renaming in 1949 was intended to stress preventing conflict in the nuclear era. Critics now say the latest change is costly and an unnecessary distraction, while Hegseth insists it reflects the “warrior ethos.”
Trump has repeatedly suggested the old name was dropped to be “politically correct.” Last month, he said: “We’re just going to do it. I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that … Defense is too defensive. We want to be defensive, but we want to be offensive too if we have to be.”
