Today’s email is brought to you by Empower your podcasting vision with a suite of creative solutions at your fingertips.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Saturday to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, the White House confirmed, in a decision reviving pre-Cold War terminology and sparking alarm among allies and adversaries.
The Pentagon, long regarded as the world’s most powerful military institution, was known as the War Department until 1949, when U.S. leaders rebranded it in the aftermath of World War II to signal a new era of peacekeeping and international cooperation.
Trump’s plan to restore the old name would mark a dramatic symbolic shift, one that experts say could alter global perceptions of Washington’s posture at a time of heightened tension in Asia and Europe.
Trump’s Move
White House aides said Trump is expected to sign the order at a ceremony in Washington, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at his side. The order would take immediate effect, requiring updates across official U.S. military communications, doctrine, and diplomacy.
“This is not just about words, it’s about the warrior ethos,” Hegseth said in a televised interview Friday, adding that the change reflects a renewed focus on strength and readiness.
Trump has not publicly commented on the move, but advisers have previously said he views the title “War Department” as more “honest” and “direct.”
Truth matters. Quality journalism costs.
Your subscription to Mencari directly funds the investigative reporting our democracy needs. For less than a coffee per week, you enable our journalists to uncover stories that powerful interests would rather keep hidden. There is no corporate influence involved. No compromises. Just honest journalism when we need it most.
Not ready to be paid subscribe, but appreciate the newsletter ? Grab us a beer or snag the exclusive ad spot at the top of next week's newsletter.
Expert Reaction
Michael Wesley, deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Melbourne and a leading scholar on U.S. foreign policy, told Sky News Newsday that the renaming will be closely scrutinized abroad.
“I think it’s Donald Trump wanting to show that America is there to be taken seriously and its armed forces are there to be taken seriously,” Wesley said. “I’m not sure it will entail that much significant material change, but let’s see how the rest of the world responds to it.”
He added that China is likely to seize on the change to accuse Washington of reverting to “Cold War thinking,” a phrase frequently used by Beijing to criticize U.S. alliances and military strategy.
Russia is also expected to condemn the move, though Wesley noted that both countries will ultimately focus on the Pentagon’s material capabilities rather than its official name.
Contradictory Messaging
Wesley said Trump’s reputation as both a hawk and a self-proclaimed peacemaker may clash under the rebrand.
“Donald Trump also paradoxically champions himself as a peacemaker. He is well known to covet a Nobel Peace Prize,” Wesley said. “Even if he does rename it the Department of War, if he goes to war with it, then I guess that makes him even less eligible for that coveted Nobel Peace Prize.”
The academic also pointed out that the American public remains weary of foreign conflicts after two decades of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“We’ve seen the United States almost constantly at war between 2001 and 2022 when it pulled out of Afghanistan,” Wesley said. “I don’t think many Americans really want the United States to be going to war anytime soon.”
Implications for Allies
The announcement came as Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong held high-level security talks in Tokyo with their Japanese counterparts.
Marles stressed that Canberra and Tokyo are working more closely than ever before to address regional challenges, calling the two countries’ bond the “highest level of strategic trust” in their history.
“We chose the Mogami because it was the best frigate for our country and the most cost-effective solution for Australia,” Marles said, referencing Canberra’s recent decision to purchase Japanese-designed Mogami-class frigates. “The consequence of that decision is that it does bring us even closer together.”
Wong echoed the sentiment, saying the Asia-Pacific security environment was more contested than at any time in decades. “We do meet at a time where the geostrategic context is highly challenging,” Wong said. “Our partnership is strong, but we can make it stronger.”
Wesley said Japan sees Australia as a crucial partner in anchoring U.S. power in the Pacific. “Japan and Australia are the two strongest anchors that allow the United States to base forces in this part of the world, along with Korea and the Philippines,” he said.
AUKUS and Strategic Uncertainty
Trump’s decision comes as allies await the findings of a review of the AUKUS security pact, the trilateral agreement under which Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British support. The review, led by American strategist Elbridge Colby, has stirred unease in Canberra and London.
“There is a lot of nervousness about that, I’ve got to say, not only in Australia but in the UK as well,” Wesley said. “They’re not sure what Colby will come back with. But a change of name for the Defence Department in the U.S., I think, is probably marginal for their thinking around AUKUS.”
Still, the timing of Trump’s announcement could cast a shadow over the alliance, with critics warning it could embolden rivals to question U.S. intentions.
Global Response Expected
Diplomatic sources said China is preparing to issue a formal statement on the renaming within 24 hours of the order being signed. Beijing is expected to describe the move as evidence of Washington’s “militaristic posture.”
In Moscow, Russian officials have already signaled they will label the shift as destabilizing. Analysts said European NATO members are likely to tread cautiously, wary of undermining U.S. leadership while also concerned about the messaging shift.
Japan and South Korea, both heavily reliant on U.S. defense guarantees, are expected to reaffirm their alliances but may privately express concern that the rhetoric could complicate regional diplomacy.
Historical Context
The U.S. Department of War was first established in 1789, overseeing the fledgling republic’s military operations. The agency retained the name through two world wars before being reorganized as the Department of Defense in 1949 under President Harry Truman. The change was designed to emphasize collective security and reduce the perception of aggression as Washington constructed the postwar international order.
Trump’s order would be the first time in 76 years that the Pentagon has carried the name “War Department.” Historians said the move risks undermining decades of U.S. branding as a stabilizing global leader.
Domestic Repercussions
In Washington, Democrats criticized the decision, warning it could escalate tensions unnecessarily. Republican lawmakers close to Trump defended it as an overdue acknowledgment of the military’s core mission.
Public opinion is divided. Polling in recent years has shown Americans broadly supportive of strong defense but reluctant to see new foreign wars. Analysts said renaming the department could test how voters interpret Trump’s national security agenda if he seeks office again.
Strategic Stakes
Wesley said the ultimate impact will depend less on language than on policy. “What China looks at is the material capabilities of the U.S. military, not what it’s called,” he said. But he added that symbolism matters in international politics. “It certainly would be taken by some as showing some intent.”
For allies like Australia and Japan, the question is whether the move signals a shift toward more confrontational U.S. policies in the Indo-Pacific, where tensions with Beijing over Taiwan and the South China Sea remain high.
Trump is scheduled to sign the executive order Saturday morning at the White House, with senior military leaders present. Aides said the Pentagon will immediately begin updating signage, publications and public communications to reflect the new name.
As the world awaits the official change, diplomats and defense analysts are parsing what it means for U.S. strategy. Whether it is largely symbolic or a harbinger of more aggressive policies, the return of the “Department of War” marks a striking moment in American history, one that will reverberate far beyond Washington.
Got a News Tip?
Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.
Sustaining Mencari Requires Your Support
Independent journalism costs money. Help us continue delivering in-depth investigations and unfiltered commentary on the world's real stories. Your financial contribution enables thorough investigative work and thoughtful analysis, all supported by a dedicated community committed to accuracy and transparency.
Subscribe today to unlock our full archive of investigative reporting and fearless analysis. Subscribing to independent media outlets represents more than just information consumption—it embodies a commitment to factual reporting.
As well as knowing you’re keeping Mencari (Australia) alive, you’ll also get:
Get breaking news AS IT HAPPENS - Gain instant access to our real-time coverage and analysis when major stories break, keeping you ahead of the curve
Unlock our COMPLETE content library - Enjoy unlimited access to every newsletter, podcast episode, and exclusive archive—all seamlessly available in your favorite podcast apps.
Join the conversation that matters - Be part of our vibrant community with full commenting privileges on all content, directly supporting The Evening Post (Australia)
Catch up on some of Mencari’s recent stories:
It only takes a minute to help us investigate fearlessly and expose lies and wrongdoing to hold power accountable. Thanks!