Washington, D.C. In a move that has stirred debate across political and military circles, President Donald Trump announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Defense will be referred to as the “Department of War” in all ceremonial and executive communications.

The executive order, signed during a televised press conference, does not legally change the department’s name but allows the use of “Department of War” and “Secretary of War” in official documents and public statements. Trump described the change as a return to “historic strength,” referencing the original name used from 1789 until 1949.

“We won the first World War. We won the Second World War. Then we went woke,” Trump said, suggesting that the modern name reflected a shift toward political correctness that weakened America’s military resolve.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supported the move, calling it a restoration of the “warrior ethos.” The announcement comes amid heightened U.S. military activity in Yemen, Iran, and the Caribbean Sea, signaling a more assertive foreign policy stance.

Historically, the Department of War was renamed the Department of Defense during the Truman administration to reflect post-war diplomacy and containment strategies. Trump’s rebranding revives the older terminology, which some critics argue could escalate global tensions.

Reactions were swift. Republican lawmakers praised the move as a bold reaffirmation of American strength, while Democratic leaders condemned it as reckless and provocative. International analysts warned that the shift in language could complicate diplomatic relations and signal a more aggressive posture to allies and adversaries alike.

The executive order is largely symbolic for now, but it marks a clear rhetorical shift in how the Trump administration views military power and national identity.