• Trump signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
• The name change is meant to reflect a more aggressive military posture.
• Only Congress can officially change the name; the order implements it as a secondary title.
• Critics argue this move serves political purposes rather than improving military capabilities.
• The renaming echoes Trump's broader agenda against what he terms "woke" policies.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, aiming to reflect a historical return to a name used from 1789 to 1947. He criticized the term "Defense" as “woke,” stating, “It’s a much more appropriate name, especially in light of where the world is right now,” signaling a shift towards a more aggressive military posture, according to SCMP and India Times.

While the Department of War will serve as a secondary title, the official change requires Congressional approval, as only Congress can permanently rename the department. Trump cited military aggressiveness as a reason for the name change, saying, “We’re going to go on offence, not just on defence,” a sentiment echoed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth who emphasized the need for “maximum lethality” in military engagements, according to India Times and Le Monde.

The renaming aligns with Trump's broader agenda to challenge what he describes as "woke" policies within the military framework, linking it to previous attempts to restore historical military names and symbols. This move has drawn criticism from various political figures, including military veterans who argue that it glorifies war without making tangible improvements for service members, as noted by Senator Tammy Duckworth, who expressed concern over the lack of investment in military families and support systems, according to India Times and Le Monde.