Trump Revives ‘Department of War’ while U.S. Pushes for Release of Hostages

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/MINSK (Worthy News) – President Donald J. Trump on Friday revived the historic title “Department of War” for the U.S. Defense Department as his administration claimed credit for freeing dozens of American hostages and pressed for the release of others still held in Gaza and Belarus.

Trump signed an executive order allowing officials to use the title “Department of War” in ceremonial and non-statutory communications, restoring a name last used in 1947.

The Pentagon has already begun reflecting the change in some public-facing materials, with websites “defense.gov” redirecting partly to “war.gov.”

The move also permits U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be referred to informally as “Secretary of War.”

A senior administration official told reporters the decision was meant to restore a “warrior ethos,” arguing that “defense is too defensive” and that the U.S. must project strength.

Trump said publicly that the change reflects his belief that America should not “just sit back” but must demonstrate power abroad.

U.S. HOSTAGES FREED

The announcement coincided with Trump signing a separate executive order enabling the U.S. to designate nations that “wrongfully detain Americans” as state sponsors of wrongful detention. Such a label paves the way for sanctions, visa bans, and export restrictions.

According to the White House, this approach has already helped secure the release of 72 Americans detained abroad in recent months, including citizens held in Russia, Afghanistan, and Belarus.

“This administration will not tolerate Americans being held as bargaining chips,” the White House said.

Yet Trump acknowledged that major challenges remain. He confirmed that U.S. officials are in “very deep talks” with Hamas to free around 48 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza after nearly two years of war.

Trump suggested that “only about 20” of them may still be alive — a statement that alarmed families of hostages who said they had received no new official information.

On his social media platform earlier this week, Trump demanded Hamas “IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 hostages (not 2 or 5 or 7!),” adding that “things will change rapidly. IT WILL END!”

TOUGH RESPONSE

Speaking to reporters Friday, the U.S. president warned that if Hamas refuses, “the response will be tough, very tough, and nasty.” Israeli officials have not confirmed Trump’s figures, and relatives of the captives have urged restraint in public statements about the hostages’ fate.

Trump also pointed to developments in Eastern Europe, crediting his outreach to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for recent prisoner releases. Last month, Lukashenko freed 16 detainees, a move Trump welcomed.

On Friday, the U.S. president told reporters he expects “a lot” of the roughly 1,400 political prisoners still held in Belarus to be freed “in the pretty near future.”

Rights groups remain cautious, noting that Belarus continues to jail dissidents, but acknowledged that U.S. diplomatic pressure could help secure further releases.

The Trump administration has tied the symbolic restoration of the “Department of War” title with its more assertive diplomacy on behalf of detained citizens.

Supporters say the initiatives reflect a tougher American stance, while critics argue the rebranding is mainly cosmetic and could heighten tensions with adversaries.

Still, Trump stressed that the U.S. must act with strength to ensure that its citizens and allies are not left behind.

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