Overview

• Within hours of the order, the Pentagon shifted its website to war.gov, updated social media labels, and replaced office nameplates to read “Secretary of War.”
• The directive authorizes use of “Department of War” and related titles in executive communications and instructs Secretary Pete Hegseth to propose steps for a lasting change.
• Republican sponsors including Sens. Mike Lee and Rick Scott and Rep. Greg Steube introduced bills to write the new name into law.
• Analysts and former officials caution that comprehensive rebranding could cost hundreds of millions to more than $1 billion to update signage, uniforms, IT systems and global facilities, though Trump says costs can be phased.
• Hegseth framed the shift as restoring a “warrior ethos,” while critics, including Democrats and Sen. Mitch McConnell, questioned the focus and urged substantive funding increases over symbolic changes.