Restoring the United States Department of War
This Executive Order authorizes the Secretary of Defense and the Department of Defense to use "Secretary of War" and "Department of War" as additional, secondary titles in certain contexts — specifically in official correspondence, public communications, ceremonial settings, and non‑statutory documents — while leaving all existing laws and statutory references to the Department of Defense unchanged and controlling. The order directs the Secretary (using the secondary title where permitted) to notify Congress within 30 days when components begin using the secondary designation and to provide, within 60 days, a recommendation for steps (legislative and executive) needed to make the name change permanent. The order is largely symbolic and administrative: it allows alternate naming and subordinate secondary titles (e.g., Deputy Secretary of War) in limited contexts, requires agencies to accommodate such usage provided it does not create legal or international confusion, and makes clear it does not alter statutory authorities, create enforceable legal rights, or override budgetary law and appropriations.
Key Points
- 1Authorizes a secondary title: The Secretary of Defense may be called "Secretary of War" and the Department of Defense may be referred to as the "Department of War" in official correspondence, public communications, ceremonial contexts, and non‑statutory documents.
- 2Extends to subordinates: Subordinate DoD officials may use corresponding secondary titles (e.g., Deputy Secretary of War) in the same limited contexts.
- 3Statutory status unchanged: All statutory references to the Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense, and related officers remain controlling until changed by Congress or other law; the order does not itself rename the department in law.
- 4Reporting and recommendation requirements: Within 30 days the Secretary must notify the President (for transmittal to Congress) of any office or component that begins using the secondary designation; within 60 days the Secretary must recommend actions required to permanently change the name, including proposed legislative and executive steps.
- 5Implementation limits and costs: The order must be implemented consistent with applicable law and available appropriations; it does not create legal rights enforceable in court; publication costs are to be borne by the Department (the order labels that entity the “Department of War”).