Trump revives the war state: The American "Department of Defense" officially becomes the "Department of War"

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Trump Restores the War State: The American "Department of Defense" Officially Becomes the "Department of War" On Friday, September 5, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order restoring the Pentagon to its historical name: the Department of War. The sensational decision came at a White House press conference, where he announced that the change was a recognition of the "American spirit of victory" in major wars—from World War I and II to its most recent victories. Trump addressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, saying: "From now on, I will call you Secretary of War." The executive order stipulated that titles such as "Secretary of War" and "Deputy Secretary of War" could be used in official correspondence, while converting the name into permanent law requires the approval of Parliament (Congress). Immediate legislative support was announced from Republican members of the Senate and House of Representatives to pass the change. Strategic Insight: Symbolism: Renaming the "Department of War" restores the United States' image as a decisive war power in global history. Political Goals: A showy decision repositions Trump as a president who elevates the might of the military state and lends a strict "realist" character to his policy. Ideological Shift in Two Discourses: Addressing the popular base with the power of decisiveness, while at the same time launching messages with the character of "an offensive force that does not only defend." Internal Repercussions: Doubling the divisions between Republicans and Democrats over the role of the military, while raising the ceiling of expectations among conservatives and the military. External Impact: China, Russia, and Iran will see the change as a signal of American escalation in style, which may ignite a new wave of arms race and deterrence. Conclusion: Changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War is not limited to linguistic formalities; rather, it represents a shift in the doctrine of the American state. It is a symbolic declaration of the end of the pragmatic peace phase, and the return of Washington to the logic of hard power where there is no place except for dominance and victory.