The United States government officially adopted the phrase War on Terror to describe its military and political campaign following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the George W. Bush administration and subsequent government entities consistently utilized the phrase "Global War on Terrorism," often abbreviated as GWOT, in official documentation, strategic planning, and public communications. This terminology was adopted to describe the comprehensive U.S. -led international military and political campaign aimed at dismantling terrorist organizations with global reach.georgewbushlibrary.govgeorgewbushlibrary.govGlobal War on TerrorBush utilized the phrase to characterize the comprehensive U.S. response to terrorism It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated." Official Usage: The U.S. government frequently used...2001-2009.state.gov2001-2009.state.govThe Global War on Terrorism: The First 100 Days U.S. Department of StateIt will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated." Official Usage: The U.S. government frequently used "Global War on Terrorism" (GWOT) in official documentation, briefings, and strategic...+1 more

The administration framed the conflict as an existential struggle, with President George W. Bush frequently using the language of war to define the government's approach to national security in the post-9/11 era.ebsco.comebsco.comWar on Terror | Politics and Government | Research StartersThe claim that the United States government officially adopted the phrase "War on Terror" (often referred to as the "Global War on Terror" or GWOT) to describe its military and political campaign following the September 11, 2001, terrorist...mepc.orgmepc.orgWhat Exactly Is the “War on Terror?”Bush utilized the phrase to characterize the comprehensive U.S. response to terrorism While "terror" is a tactic, the phrase became the central rhetorical and strategic framework for the government’s post-9/11 foreign and domestic policies... While the phrase became a central element of government policy, it has been the subject of ongoing academic and political discourse regarding the nature of the conflict and the implications of using "war" to describe efforts against non-state actors.+1 more

Despite this critical discussion, the historical record confirms that the terminology was an official designation rather than merely a rhetorical invention of external observers.2001-2009.state.gov2001-2009.state.govThe Global War on Terrorism: The First 100 Days U.S. Department of StateIt will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated." Official Usage: The U.S. government frequently used "Global War on Terrorism" (GWOT) in official documentation, briefings, and strategic...afsc.orgafsc.org25 years after 9/11, a new vision for peaceS. counterterrorism policy that began after September 11, 2001+1 more