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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Rachel Dobkin

Trump signs executive order to change name of the Pentagon

  • Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename the Pentagon as the Department of War, stating it would indicate that America has “the strongest military.”
  • The name change is projected by Politico to cost taxpayers over $1 billion for rebranding agencies, global bases, stationery, and signage, although Trump downplayed the cost as “not a lot.”
  • This move reverses a decision from the late 1940s, following World War II, when the agency's name was changed from the Department of War to the Department of Defense.
  • Pete Hegseth, referred to as the “Now-Secretary of War,” supported the change, arguing that the US won both World Wars under a “War Department.”
  • Republicans have already introduced legislation in both the House and Senate to codify the name change, despite the Trump administration's previous vows to cut wasteful government spending.

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