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President Trump’s Promise Fulfilled; Honoring New Namesake
The Pentagon has officially changed North Carolina’s Fort Liberty back to its original name, Fort Bragg. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed the order on Monday, delivering on President Trump’s campaign promise. The name change now honors Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero, rather than its original Confederate namesake.
Hegseth signed the memorandum while traveling to Stuttgart, Germany. In a video shared on X, he announced with a smile, “That’s right. Bragg is back.”
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Why the Name Changed—Twice
The base was originally named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg, a controversial figure known for his defeats during the Civil War. However, in June 2023, the Pentagon renamed it Fort Liberty as part of a congressional mandate to remove Confederate-associated names from military installations.
President Trump strongly opposed the change, pledging during his campaign to restore the name. “We did win two world wars from Fort Bragg, right?” he said during a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The latest change pays tribute to Roland L. Bragg, a paratrooper awarded the Silver Star for his bravery during the Battle of the Bulge. Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot explained that the new name recognizes those who have demonstrated extraordinary service and sacrifice for the nation.
A Storied History
Established during World War I, Fort Bragg is one of the largest military bases in the world, home to approximately 52,000 personnel. It houses the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and U.S. Army Special Operations Command, known for rapid troop deployment.
The back-and-forth renaming follows years of political debate on removing Confederate symbols from military bases. In 2021, a congressionally mandated commission recommended new names for nine bases across the U.S. Despite initial opposition, Congress overrode President Trump’s veto on the defense bill that included the base-renaming rule.
Now, the return of Fort Bragg is being celebrated by many as a nod to the base’s rich military history and legacy.