Washington — Sept. 5, 2025 (Updated Sept. 7) — President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order restoring the “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Pentagon, authorizing officials—up to and including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—to use titles like “Secretary of War” in communications, ceremonies and non-statutory documents. The White House emphasised the change is about “readiness and resolve,” and directed Hegseth to recommend steps—including legislation—required to permanently rename the department.
What changes now? Absent an act of Congress, the agency remains the Department of Defense in law. Multiple outlets and legal analysts note a president cannot unilaterally rename a cabinet department; the order’s “secondary title” is symbolic and internally oriented.
Supporters’ case: The White House says “Department of War” projects strength. Hegseth, adopting the new honorific, argued “words matter,” calling the move a cultural reset. The White House
Critics’ case & Democratic reaction:
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Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), a West Point grad and top Democrat on Senate Armed Services, called it “a superficial attempt…a multimillion-dollar gesture without meaning,” warning of needless costs to change signage and materials, and stressing that Congress would still have to authorize any rename.
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Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) blasted the optics: “Only someone who avoided the draft would want to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War.”
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Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), House Armed Services ranking member: “It’s in statute…you have to change it in statute. You can’t do it by fiat.”
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Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) criticized the escalating “war” rhetoric amid Trump’s separate Chicago post, saying, “No Donald, Chicago is not your war zone.”
Legality & logistics in brief: Outlets note the order is largely symbolic without congressional action—and implementing even limited rebranding could carry non-trivial costs and allied-relations risks. Some Republicans introduced bills to codify the change; analysts still flag the statutory hurdle.
Political context: The rebrand follows stepped-up administration rhetoric and actions abroad; reporting links the move to a broader assertion of military assertiveness. A promotional video circulating on social media showcased Hegseth as “War Secretary,” underscoring the messaging pivot.
Why it matters for Canada & Northwestern Ontario
The U.S. framing of its defense posture can influence NORAD cooperation, allied signaling, and cross-border security planning—key to Northwestern Ontario given proximity to U.S. air routes and critical infrastructure. While the order doesn’t change law or treaty obligations, Canadian officials will watch how rhetoric translates into posture, budgets and binational exercises.
What to watch next
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Whether Congress entertains legislation to make “Department of War” the statutory name.
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Scope and cost of any rebranding within the Pentagon pending legal change.
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Allied reactions and whether the shift affects strategy documents or procurement priorities.
