U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order to revert the name of the Ministry of National Defense to 'Department of War.' This is a measure to change the name that was altered 76 years ago post-World War II to emphasize 'defense' back to 'war.' The Trump administration cited the restoration of 'warrior ethos' and a strong warning to adversaries as justification.
According to Fox News, the White House confirmed that President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on the name change for the Ministry of National Defense on the 5th (local time). The name of the Ministry of National Defense will not change immediately after the executive order. According to the Associated Press, renaming a government department is a matter for congressional legislation. Initially, the executive order authorizes the term 'Department of War' to be used as a secondary title for the Ministry of National Defense. Consequently, officials, including Minister Pete Hegseth, will be able to use titles like 'Secretary of War' in official letters or external communications. The executive order also includes directions to prepare measures for permanently changing the official name through future congressional legislation.
President Trump found justification for the name change in the 'history of victory.' He noted during a meeting with reporters last month, "During the time of the 'Department of War,' we won everything, and we need to go back to that period." The Department of War was established in 1789 and led victories in World War I and World War II. Subsequently, the U.S. government changed the name of the Department of War to the Ministry of National Defense in 1949.
Minister Hegseth stated in a Fox News interview, "We won in World War I and World War II with the Department of War, not the Ministry of National Defense," adding, "As the president said, we do not just defend; we also attack." He has already led a campaign to restore the 'warrior ethos' in the military, including renaming a meeting room in the Ministry of National Defense to 'W.A.R. Room.' The White House explained that this measure would send a signal to adversaries that the U.S. is ready to wage war to protect national interests.
However, some argue that the justification for the name change is weak, citing the costs that need to be borne for a symbolic change. Politico reported that changing the official seals, plaques, and documents for the Ministry of National Defense across hundreds of U.S. military bases and government buildings worldwide could cost billions of dollars. This contradicts the administration's stance on reducing waste in the defense budget.
Military experts criticized the name change as a cosmetic administrative measure unrelated to enhancing actual defense capabilities. Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), told the Washington Post (WP), "Changing the name of the Ministry of National Defense does nothing as China races to acquire the combat power to repel U.S. forces in the Pacific." He added, "It would be better to use the substantial funds spent on creating new signs, plaques, and letterheads to train our personnel to accomplish their missions and return to their families."
There are also significant concerns about the message sent to the international community. In a situation where the international order is shaken by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, putting 'war' front and center instead of 'defense' by the world's strongest nation, the United States, may lead to unnecessary misunderstandings and heighten military tensions. Criticism has also been raised that this contradicts President Trump's efforts to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.