Source: The hill

by Ellen Mitchell - 09/05/25 8:01 PM ET

President Trump's executive order to formally change the Department of Defense to the Department of War was met on Friday with enthusiasm from some on the right, but largely elicited skepticism on the left and concerns about the steep cost from former officials.

Trump framed the rebrand as a signal of American strength that will send a message of "victory" to America's allies and adversaries alike.

Now Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that the name change represented a new focus on "maximum lethality, not tepid legality" at the Pentagon.

"Violent effect, not politically correct," he said during the press conference alongside Trump. "We're gonna raise up warriors. Not just defenders."

Hegseth shared a video on social media showing workers taking down "Secretary of Defense" signage and in its place putting up his new title as secretary of war. His social media profiles also quickly shifted to describe him as "Secretary of War."

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Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5489581-trump-rebrands-department-war-reactions/