President Trump is set to make a big change by renaming the Pentagon the Department of War. An executive order to be signed this Friday will empower the Secretary of Defense to use “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Department of Defense. Hence, Secretary Pete Hegseth will henceforth be addressed as the Secretary of War. The renaming has since sparked off conversations as to what it denotes and its impact even on the image of the military.
1. Thinking Back on the Past
The war department used to refer to the Pentagon—the office that oversees all the Armed Forces of the United States, such as the Army, Navy, and Air Force to name a few. The name was officially changed to the Department of Defense in 1947 after having been established in 1899 in what was then called the War Department. Trump apparently feels that a sterner facade of preparedness is better exhibited by the old name ‘Department of War’. The nomenclature would indicate a much stronger will and determination rather than just “Department of Defense” focusing on just defense.
Trump has on several occasions praised the U.S. military as the War Department for the achievements it made during the World Wars. He considers renaming the military as a way of honoring such successful history. He desires to stiffen and make it more offensive a military strategy, revival of the name will be a means of stressing this.
Of course Trump can also by executive order rename the “Department of War” as a second moniker, but the Department of Defense can only be renamed by the US Congress. The permanent name alteration would require an amendment to be passed by the legislature. Trump is bullish, however. “I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that. I don’t even think we need that,” he said recently showing that he feels the change could easily be effected with or without Congress.
2. Exploring New Paths for the Military
Person and Mode of Writing
Trump and his lieutenant Pete Hegseth have been spearheading the way for Pentagon priorities since his homecoming to the White House in January. They argue for the need for an “expanded warfighting” mindset and “warrior ethos.” Nearly every private entity has become re-equipped. How did we get here? Trump and Hegseth bicker that “Woke Ideology, diversity, equity, and inclusion have consumed too much” of DOD’s time. The new name is an attachment to a brand narrative orientation regarding military strength.
“The age of some of the comments like the one above from Democratic Senator Andy Kim breed the belief that the United States ought to stop wars rather than prepare to wage them. Obviously, there is an argument going on as to what exactly the role of the military would be in this day and age.”
3. Why the Name Change Matters
The Pentagon molds the image of the military. ‘Department of Defense’ would imply defense of the nation, and ‘Department of War’ would indicate getting ready for war. This selection of President Trump reflects his agenda to project strength both at home and in the international arena. This order is slated to be the 200th executive order in his tenure so far this year, at a time when issues being brought to the center appear more global in nature, with the furore with China and Iran.
Public response was made with the release of thousands taking to social media with the hashtag #BoycottMAGA, which trended at number one on Twitter. Still, a lot of Trump’s supporters celebrated the move as great particularly those who were exhausted by Chinese toys that had been overrunning the local market.
The renaming of the Pentagon is a matter of mixed opinion. According to Trump’s followers, it brings honor and power to the defense forces. “Department of War” covers the current world’s issues. Hence the supporters argue. However, there may be some fear that it will come to be known as the department of war and not peace. The issue is surely heating up with the planned signing of an executive order and referral to Congress over the feasibility of making the change permanent.
4. Friday Funny: Pentagon Renamed
The article poses the question, will changing the name of the Pentagon also change how the U.S. military is viewed both nationally and internationally? Whether it becomes a significant alteration or remains simply a matter of symbolism will be Congress and the peoples.
