Overview

• The executive order allows the Pentagon and senior officials to use "Department of War" and related titles in non-statutory documents, official correspondence and public communications.
• Within hours, the Pentagon redirected defense.gov to war.gov, updated social accounts and replaced office signage, including a door plate identifying Pete Hegseth as "Secretary of War."
• The order instructs Hegseth to propose executive and legislative steps within 60 days to make a permanent change in law.
• Republicans Rick Scott and Mike Lee in the Senate and Greg Steube in the House introduced measures to codify the rename as Congress prepares to take up the FY2026 defense bill.
• Democrats criticized the move as costly and performative, and Republicans such as Mitch McConnell pressed for greater defense investment, underscoring that statutory renaming requires legislation.