Pentagon Did Not Become ‘Department of War’; US Courts Reject Trump’s Initiative

Pentagon investigators have been barred from using the name ‘Department of War’ in official documents.

The secondary name is acceptable for forms but not for court filings, the inspector general warned in a memorandum dated April 1.

Since President Donald Trump signed an executive order in September allowing the Department of Defense to use the ‘alternative name,’ the Pentagon has begun changing signs, signatures, and as many mentions of the word “Defense” as possible.

However, this does not apply to the Department of Defense’s Criminal Investigative Service and its official documents, as the Department of War is not yet a legal name.

Although Pentagon staff and contractors have been required to use the name Department of War, only Congress has the authority to officially change the agency’s name.

Lawmakers have taken no steps in this direction. Recently, they also failed to take the opportunity to amend the latest defense budget bill.

Therefore, in legal proceedings, the Pentagon remains the Department of Defense.

Confusion in criminal cases

The inspector’s main concern is that using the unofficial name in legal documents could undermine criminal cases.

“While the name ‘Department of War’ may have rhetorical or symbolic significance, its use in an official context has caused internal confusion and necessitated legal safeguards,” a Pentagon official told Defense One, requesting anonymity to avoid retaliation from his employer.

Although the memorandum allows the Inspector General’s Office to rebrand itself as the ‘Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense,’ the use of this name will be limited.

“For the Criminal Investigative Service in particular, the stakes are high: even minor deviations from the legally defined name in criminal proceedings could undermine the integrity of cases aimed at holding individuals accountable for fraud, waste, and abuse in the government,” the source said.

The memorandum also states that the Pentagon’s hotline (DoD Hotline)—an anonymous line for reporting fraud, waste, and abuse—will retain its name.

Similarly, the Department of War will not be used in memoranda of understanding or agreements with external organizations to avoid confusion.

“Rebranding creates unnecessary difficulties in interagency coordination, congressional oversight, and international engagement, which are based on the legally established name of the Department of Defense,” the contractor noted. “Constant emphasis in internal guidelines on caveats, footnotes, and restricted use underscores how much legal and policy experts are trying to minimize this risk.”

And although Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth personally replaced the Department of Defense’s bronze sign at the Pentagon entrance in November, the memorandum explicitly states that no existing signs for the inspector general’s office should be removed, and budget funds cannot be used to purchase signs with the new inscription.