President Trump Restores the United States Department of War as Secondary Title to Department of Defense
Impact Score: 3.4
Timeline: N/A – No explicit deadline or timeline specified
Summary: On September 5, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order restoring the historic title “Department of War” as a secondary name for the Department of Defense. This change authorizes officials to use titles such as “Secretary of War” in official and ceremonial contexts and mandates all executive departments and agencies to recognize these titles. The order emphasizes America’s military legacy, national pride, and a focus on peace through strength, while instructing further recommendations for permanently renaming the department. The initiative involves increased military recruitment, celebrations of military history, and signals a shift toward a stronger military posture. However, it raises concerns about increased militarization rhetoric impacting diplomacy, resource allocation, and military culture.
Key Actions: Vanderbilt’s Political Science Department should analyze national security implications; the Office of Federal Relations must monitor legislative developments; Military and Veterans Affairs should evaluate impacts on military culture and recruitment; Project on Unity & American Democracy can explore the symbolic significance of the renaming. Opportunities exist to expand research and partnerships in defense policy and military history.
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