From peace to war? Trump's rebrand of Defence Department: Video

The executive order, which marks the 200th such directive issued by the president since assuming office in January, permits Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and DOD officials to use the titles “Department of War”, “Secretary of War”, and “Deputy Secretary of War” in official communications, ceremonial events, and non-statutory executive branch documents. The White House released a fact sheet outlining these changes.

Trump has received public endorsements from multiple countries, including Israel, Pakistan, Cambodia, Rwanda and Gabon, to become the first Republican U.S. president since Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 to take up the distinguished honour.

Pakistan declared its intention to nominate Trump on June 20, following diplomatic efforts that helped bring about a ceasefire during a conflict between India and Pakistan in May. In July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a letter to the Nobel Committee during a White House visit, formally nominating Trump for the prize.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet joined the list of supporters on August 7, citing Trump’s role in a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand that ended a five-day border conflict in July. Similarly, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema have endorsed Trump for helping end a long-standing conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

But why has he chosen to rename the DOD at this time? Trump said that the decision followed “long and hard” consideration and months of discussions. He explained that the original War Department had led the U.S. to victory in both world wars, whereas subsequent military engagements under the Defence Department often resulted in outcomes that were more drawn out and inconclusive, describing them as a “sort of tie.”