The White House told AFP that Trump will sign an “executive order aimed at reinstating the historic name ‘Department of War’ as a secondary name for the Department of Defense.”

It added that this additional name will replace the primary name once the necessary procedures, especially in Congress, are completed.

The message explained that the decree instructs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to take all necessary measures, particularly with the legislative authority, to ensure “the final renaming of the U.S. Department of Defense to the Department of War.”

At the end of August, Trump announced his intention to restore the name that was used from 1789 to 1949.

The Republican president told reporters at the time that the name ‘Defense’ is “too defensive, and we want to be offensive as well,” hinting that changing the department’s name requires a vote in Congress.

The White House justified Trump’s desire to change the name by saying that “the president believes this department should carry a name that reflects its unparalleled strength and its ability to protect national interests,” reminding that the United States has the largest military in the world.

According to the White House, the goal is to impose “peace through strength” and ensure “the world respects the United States once again.”