## Summary of News: Donald Trump to Rename Pentagon "Department of War" This news report from **9News**, citing **CNN** and **AP**, details an impending executive order by US President Donald Trump to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War. ### Key Information: * **News Title/Type:** Donald Trump to rename Pentagon ‘Department of War’ * **Report Provider/Author:** 9News (citing CNN, AP, Fox News, Bloomberg via Getty Images) * **Date/Time Period Covered:** The report indicates the executive order was expected to be signed on **Friday, September 5th, 2025**. President Trump made comments previewing this move on **August 25th, 2025**. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also hinted at the change on **Thursday, September 4th, 2025**. * **News Identifiers:** URL: `https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-to-rename-pentagon-department-of-war-us/8ef5b6fc-e705-4cf1-a337-868a8b954a2f` * **Published At:** 2025-09-05 00:25:06 ### Main Findings and Conclusions: * **Renaming of the Department of Defense:** President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order to change the name of the Department of Defense to the **Department of War**. * **Presidential and Defense Secretary Initiative:** This move has been previewed by both President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. * **Rationale for the Change:** President Trump believes the name "Department of War" is more fitting, referencing past victories in World War I and World War II when the department was known by that name. He stated, "Defence is a part of that, but I have a feeling we're gonna be changing." * **Historical Precedent:** The Department of War was the original name established by President George Washington. It was renamed as part of a broader military reorganization under President Harry Truman. * **Mechanism of Change:** The report notes that the last time the department's name was changed, it required an act of Congress. CNN has reached out to the White House for clarification on how the name change will be enacted this time. * **Broader Pattern of Name Changes:** This initiative follows similar actions by Defense Secretary Hegseth, including reversing a Biden-era decision to remove Confederate-era names from bases (reverting them but renaming them after different individuals with the same names) and ordering the renaming of an oiler ship named after Harvey Milk. ### Key Statistics and Metrics: * **No specific numerical data or statistics were presented in this news report.** ### Important Recommendations: * **No specific recommendations were made in this news report.** ### Significant Trends or Changes: * **Shift in Departmental Nomenclature:** The primary trend is the proposed shift from "Department of Defense" to "Department of War," reflecting a potential change in the perceived mission or identity of the military establishment. * **Emphasis on "Words Matter":** Defense Secretary Hegseth emphasized that "words matter. Titles matter. Cultures matter," highlighting the symbolic importance of the name change. * **Reversal of Previous Policies:** The move aligns with a broader pattern of reversing or altering decisions made by the previous administration, particularly concerning military base and ship naming conventions. ### Notable Risks or Concerns: * **Mechanism of Change:** The report raises a question about the legality or procedural correctness of changing the department's name via executive order, given that a previous name change required Congressional action. This could lead to legal challenges or political opposition. * **Symbolic Implications:** The renaming to "Department of War" could be perceived by some as an aggressive or militaristic stance, potentially impacting international relations or domestic perceptions of the military's role. ### Material Financial Data: * **No financial data was presented in this news report.** ### Historical Context: * **Department of War (Original):** Established by President George Washington. * **National Security Act of 1947:** Signed by President Harry Truman. * **Merger of Departments:** This act merged the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Air Force, and the Department of the Army (formerly the Department of War) into the **National Military Establishment**. * **Renaming to Department of Defense:** The National Military Establishment was renamed the **Department of Defense** in **August 1949**. * **Establishment of Joint Chiefs of Staff:** The National Security Act also established the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Donald Trump to rename Pentagon ‘Department of War’
Read original at 9News →US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that will change the name of the Defence Department to the Department of War, a White House official told CNN.It's a move that the president and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have previewed in recent days, including Trump in the Oval Office last week when he told reporters his administration was going to "change the name."
"We call it the Department of Defence, but between us, I think we're gonna change the name," the president told reporters on August 25.The Department of Defence in the Pentagon is set to be renamed the Department of War. (AP)"We won the World War I, World War II - it was called the Department of War, and to me, that's really what it is.
Defence is a part of that, but I have a feeling we're gonna be changing."The news about Friday's order was first reported by Fox News.While at Fort Benning on Thursday, Hegseth indicated the name change would be coming on Friday.US President Donald Trump has hinted at the move. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)"I would say standby tomorrow," Hegseth said when asked about a potential change."
It's something that – words matter. Titles matter. Cultures matter. And George Washington founded the War Department. We'll see."The last time the department's name was changed took an act of Congress. CNN has reached out to the White House about how it would change the name this time.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said "words matter".
(AP)The Department of War, as it as once called, was first established by President George Washington when he founded the country's Army. But the name was later changed in 1949 as part of a broader reorganisation of the military under President Harry Truman.Truman signed the National Security Act in 1947, which merged the Department of the Navy, the newly created Department of the Air Force, and the Department of the Army – previously the Department of War, according to the Army – into one organisation called the National Military Establishment, under the civilian secretary of defence.
The National Military Establishment was renamed the Department of Defence in August 1949.What was inside this man's briefcase triggered the Cold WarThe National Security Act also established the Joint Chiefs of Staff as an organisation to advise the president on military planning and strategy.The effort to rename the Pentagon follows a number of similar steps by Hegseth to change the names of bases and ships.
He reversed a Biden-era decision that had removed Confederate-era names of bases like Fort Bragg and Fort Hood, reverting to those titles but officially naming them after different individuals with the same names.In June, Hegseth also ordered the renaming of an oiler ship named after gay rights activist and Navy veteran Harvey Milk.
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