War Department & More
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.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 5, 2025.
American Business Titans understand the critical need to Make America Greater.
On September 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump and the First Lady convened the nation’s top technology leaders at the White House to align America’s AI infrastructure, education, and investment under the Administration’s AI Action Plan. It was a clear signal: the United States intends to lead the next era of innovation, and this Administration is building the platform for dominance.
What they said — in their own words:
Sam Altman, OpenAI: “Thank you for being such a pro-business, pro-innovation President… The investment that’s happening here… is going to set us up for a long period of great success leading the world — and I do not think that would be happening without your leadership.”
Sergey Brin, Google co-founder: “It’s a real incredible inflection point… your Administration is supporting our companies instead of fighting with them — it’s hugely important… we’re very grateful for your Administration’s support.”
Greg Brockman, OpenAI President: “We’ve been very impressed with how this Administration has embraced AI… the most massive infrastructure building in history… choosing optimism — thank you for that.”
Safra Catz, Oracle: “You recognized this right away, and you have unleashed American innovation and creativity… making it possible for America to win.”
Tim Cook, Apple: “Thank you for setting the tone so we could make a major investment in the United States and bring advanced manufacturing here… I really enjoy working with your Administration.”
Satya Nadella, Microsoft: “Thank you for the policies you have put in place for the United States to lead… market access you have championed… and the trust the world has in American technology.”
Sundar Pichai, Alphabet and Google: “The AI moment is one of the most transformative we will ever see… your Administration is investing a lot already… we look forward to working together.”
Lisa Su, AMD: “The incredible work your Administration has done to support the semiconductor industry… the acceleration in just a few short months — we are grateful.”
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta: “All of the companies here are making huge investments in the country to power the next wave of innovation.” Meta signaled plans for massive U.S. build-outs tied to AI data centers and compute.
Bottom line:
America’s innovators are aligning with a pro-business, pro-growth agenda. The message from the room was unmistakable — with the right leadership, policy clarity, and infrastructure, the United States will set the pace in AI and advanced manufacturing.
The White House is turning that mandate into motion, and America’s business titans are stepping on the gas.
Long overdue. Well done, Mr. President.
The White House is a working office wrapped in a national symbol. Compared with most venues that host heads of state, it is small, tight on staging space, and chronically constrained by security, media, and accessibility needs. For decades, every large announcement required temporary tents, turf repairs, cable runs, and last-minute workarounds. The Rose Garden carried more weight than any half-acre should.
President Donald J. Trump treated the garden as what it has always been in practice: a mission-critical platform. The modernization completed under his leadership delivers what form must always follow—function. A durable, light-colored stone surface within the historic footprint now provides an all-weather, ADA-friendly, press-ready setting that aligns with the mansion’s architecture. Power, drainage, sightlines, and movement are clean, efficient, and predictable. “Make America Greater” starts at home, and this is exactly that—American stewardship applied to America’s front porch.
History matters. Edith Roosevelt formalized the West Garden in 1902. Ellen Wilson named the Rose Garden. Jacqueline Kennedy and Bunny Mellon gave the space its elegant frame in 1962, a design language that has guided every administration since. Over the years the lawn hosted astronauts, weddings, state guests, and everyday moments that humanized the presidency. The intent was always the same: create a dignified place where the President can step outside to do the nation’s business.
The Trump era carried that intent forward and made it work at 21st-century scale. The 2020 refresh upgraded irrigation, lighting, and accessibility while honoring the Kennedy template. The 2025 overhaul solved the persistent operational problem: capacity and reliability for major events. The result is a surface that reads as part of the White House, not an add-on to it—“a platform worthy of the office.”
Critics will debate preferences in trees, shrubs, and stone. Professionals will look at outcomes. The new configuration increases usable capacity, reduces setup time and cost, protects the grounds, and improves safety. It simplifies logistics for press, military aides, and state protocol. It respects history while enabling work. In short, the upgrade replaces fragile with functional, and temporary with timeless.
“America leads when the details are right.” This project gets the details right. It recognizes that a President needs a reliable outdoor room for diplomacy, legislation, and national moments, not a stage that sinks under heels after a summer storm. It recognizes that symbolism is stronger when the setting performs.
Congratulations to President Trump and the First Lady for delivering a practical, beautiful improvement to America’s most visible garden. This is not a departure from history. It is a continuation of it—modern capability inside a classic frame. The people’s house deserved this overhaul for many years. Now it has it.