President Trump plans to rename the Department of Defense the Department of War, a change confirmed by the White House. This move aligns with the administration's emphasis on a "warrior ethos" within the military. Trump expressed his belief that reverting to the historical name would be beneficial, citing past successes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has already renamed his Pentagon conference room the "W.A.R. Room." An executive order will be signed to make "Department of War" a secondary title. The order will also allow officials to use titles like "Secretary of War" in communications. However, a permanent name change would legally require congressional approval, though the White House is exploring other methods. The executive order will direct Hegseth to propose legislative and executive actions for a permanent renaming. This change aims to project a stronger image of readiness and resolve than "Department of Defense" does. The historical War Department, established in 1789, was merged into the National Military Establishment in 1947, which later became the Department of Defense in 1949.