Is the Pentagon Set to Become the Department of War Again? Trump Administration Confirms Major Shift

In a significant move, the Trump administration is set to rename the Pentagon back to the Department of War, a title it held until 1949. This change aims to refocus military priorities on offense rather than defense, as emphasized by White House officials. President Trump has highlighted the historical significance of the original name, linking it to past military victories. The announcement follows Trump's recent comments hinting at this transition, which could take effect soon. This rebranding reflects a broader strategy to reshape the Pentagon's image and remove officials not aligned with the administration's vision. Read on to discover more about this bold shift in military policy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 31, 2025, 10:36 IST

A Bold Move by the White House

Washington: The Biden administration is moving forward with plans to rename the Pentagon, with reports indicating that the Department of Defense will revert to its historical title, the Department of War.

Originally created by Congress in August 1789, the Department of War was responsible for managing the nation's military activities and ensuring the readiness of its armed forces.

After World War II, it underwent a brief rebranding as the National Military Establishment before settling on its current designation, the Department of Defense.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly informed a Media House that this change is part of a larger initiative to realign military focus towards traditional priorities.

Kelly stated, "As President Trump emphasized, our military's focus should be on offense rather than just defense, which is why he has prioritized warfighters at the Pentagon over DEI and woke ideologies."

This announcement follows President Trump's recent comments hinting at the change during a White House event.

According to reports, Trump mentioned that the transition could occur "within the next week or so."

During the event, he remarked, "We refer to it as the Department of Defense, but honestly, I believe we will be changing the name. You want the truth? I think we will have some updates on that soon."

He underscored the historical significance of the original name, linking it to the United States' military successes.

"We triumphed in World War I and World War II when it was called the Department of War. To me, that’s what it truly represents," Trump stated.

"I’m speaking with the people. Everyone appreciates that. We had an incredible history of victories when it was the Department of War. Then we switched it to the Department of Defense," he added.

The National Security Act of 1947 restructured the original War Department into the National Military Establishment, unifying the Army, Navy, and the newly established Air Force.

A subsequent amendment in 1949 officially established the Department of Defense, forming the modern organizational structure we see today.

President Trump, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is actively working to reshape the Pentagon's image to reflect a more aggressive stance.

Their strategy has involved the dismissal of senior military officials perceived to be misaligned with the administration's objectives.