Restoring the United States Department of War

Executive Order 14347 of September 5, 2025

Restoring the United States Department of War

By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose. On August 7, 1789, 236 years ago,
President George Washington signed into law a bill
establishing the United States Department of War to
oversee the operation and maintenance of military and
naval affairs. It was under this name that the
Department of War, along with the later formed
Department of the Navy, won the War of 1812, World War
I, and World War II, inspiring awe and confidence in
our Nation's military, and ensuring freedom and
prosperity for all Americans. The Founders chose this
name to signal our strength and resolve to the world.
The name ``Department of War,'' more than the current
``Department of Defense,'' ensures peace through
strength, as it demonstrates our ability and
willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our
Nation at a moment's notice, not just to defend. This
name sharpens the Department's focus on our own
national interest and our adversaries' focus on our
willingness and availability to wage war to secure what
is ours. I have therefore determined that this
Department should once again be known as the Department
of War and the Secretary should be known as the
Secretary of War.

Sec. 2. Implementation. (a) The Secretary of Defense is
authorized the use of this additional secondary title--
the Secretary of War--and may be recognized by that
title in official correspondence, public
communications, ceremonial contexts, and non-statutory
documents within the executive branch.

(b) The Department of Defense and the Office of
the Secretary of Defense may be referred to as the
Department of War and the Office of the Secretary of
War, respectively, in the contexts described in
subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The provisions of this section shall also
apply, as appropriate, to subordinate officials within
the Department of Defense, who may use corresponding
secondary titles such as Deputy Secretary of War or
Under Secretary of War in the contexts described in
subsection (a) of this section.
(d) All executive departments and agencies shall
recognize and accommodate the use of such secondary
titles in internal and external communications,
provided that the use of such titles does not create
confusion with respect to legal, statutory, or
international obligations.
(e) Statutory references to the Department of
Defense, Secretary of Defense, and subordinate officers
and components shall remain controlling until changed
subsequently by the law.
(f) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the
Secretary of War shall submit to the President, through
the Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs, a notification for transmittal to the Congress
of any office, executive department or agency,
component, or command that begins using a secondary
Department of War designation.
(g) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the
Secretary of War shall submit to the President, through
the Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs, a recommendation on the actions required to
permanently change the name of the Department of
Defense to the Department of War. This recommendation
shall include the proposed legislative and executive
actions necessary to accomplish this renaming.

Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order
shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or
the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of
appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not,
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by any party against
the United States, its departments, agencies, or
entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.
(d) The costs for publication of this order shall
be borne by the Department of War.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

September 5, 2025.