President Donald Trump ended the week by signing an executive order reviving the historic name Department of War. The order allows the Department of Defense to use the title Department of War as a secondary name. Trump also approved using titles like “Secretary of War” for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a White House statement.
The order directs Hegseth to recommend further executive and legislative steps to make the name change permanent. Trump’s administration says this move reflects a renewed focus on strength, tradition, and military victory. He believes the name Department of War better represents the mission of the U.S. military.
The White House plans to update public-facing signage and websites to reflect the new identity. One major change will rename the Pentagon’s press room as the “Pentagon War Annex.” Officials say more long-term projects are already in planning.
Trump hinted at the change weeks earlier, saying America had “an unbelievable history of victory” under the old name. The U.S. last used the Department of War title in 1949 before switching to the Department of Defense.
In addition to the renaming, Trump announced a military strike against a Venezuelan vessel carrying drugs in the southern Caribbean. The strike killed eleven suspected members of the Tren de Aragua cartel. Trump confirmed the operation in a video posted Tuesday.
He said the boat contained large amounts of drugs headed for the United States. Trump declared the mission a warning to others. “They won’t try that again,” he told reporters. “Others who see the footage will think twice before smuggling.”
Following the strike, Venezuela’s president condemned the attack and declared military readiness. Two Venezuelan aircraft later approached a U.S. Navy ship. The Pentagon described the move as dangerous and warned against future interference with U.S. operations.
Trump also announced plans to move U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama. This ends a long political fight over the location. President Biden previously attempted to keep the command in Colorado, but Trump finalized the move.
With the return of the Department of War, Trump continues to push a bold defense agenda rooted in tradition and strength.
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