President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to be known as the Department of War. The change is intended to project strength and resolve, according to the order's text.
The new name will initially serve as a secondary title while the administration seeks congressional approval for a permanent change. The order instructs the president to recommend legislative and executive actions to achieve this.
The Pentagon's website was updated to war.gov on the same day. The move follows a series of statements by Trump and Pentagon official Hegseth promoting a focus on warfighting and a warrior ethos.