Why Trump wants to change name of the Department of Defense to Department of War
By: Yahoo News
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The president has said he wants to rebrand the Pentagon to convey that the U.S. military is not just about defense but offense too.
Dylan Stableford, ReporterUpdated Fri, September 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM UTC4 min readPresident Trump, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Friday seeking to change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, part of an effort to project the U.S. military as stronger and more powerful by restoring a moniker not used since the 1940s.
The Pentagon is currently referred to as the Department of Defense. A formal change would require approval by Congress.
The executive order will authorize Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use the title Secretary of War and permit the Pentagon to begin using Department of War as a secondary title. During his Senate confirmation hearings, Hegseth said he wanted to "restore the warrior ethos to the Pentagon."
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And Hegseth hinted at the imminent name change in a post on X on Thursday night.
"DEPARTMENT OF WAR," he wrote in all capital letters after plans for the order were reported by Fox News.
When did 'war' become 'defense'?
The Department of War (also known as the War Department and War Office) was created in 1789 under President George Washington.
It existed under that name until 1947, when the Army and Air Force were split into separate military branches to join the then-independent Navy as a new entity called the National Military Establishment shortly after World War II.
It was renamed the Department of Defense by an act of Congress in 1949.
Why Trump wants to change it back
President Trump and Polish President Karol Nawrocki view a military flyover in D.C.. (Evan Vucci/AP)
According to a White House fact sheet obtained by CBS News, the Trump administration argues that the term Department of War "conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve" and reflects its "unmatched power" as "the strongest and most lethal fighting force in the world."
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Trump has been talking about the potential rebrand for months. At a NATO summit in June, he suggested that the United States originally changed the department from defense to war to be "politically correct."
"I don't want to be defense only. We want defense, but we want offense too," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office late last month. "As Department of War, we won everything. We won everything. We're going to have to go back to that."
"Defense is too defensive," the president said "And we want to be defensive, but we want to be offensive too if we have to be. So, it just sounded to me like a better name."
Hegseth echoed Trump's sentiment in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday.
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"We won World War I, and we won World War II, not with the Department of Defense, but with a War Department, with the Department of War," Hegseth said. "We're not just defense, we're offense."
How much would a name change cost?
The Pentagon. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)
As Politico pointed out, changing the official name of America's largest government agency would not be cheap:
It would likely cost billions of dollars to change the names of hundreds of Pentagon agencies, their stationery, emblems, plaques and other signage at the Defense Department, along with bases around the world. The expense could put a serious dent into the administration's efforts to slash Pentagon spending and waste.
Critics also said that it conflicts with Trump's effort to brand himself as an anti-war president who has been openly lobbying for a Nobel Peace Prize and taking credit for ending multiple conflicts around the world.
"Trump is begging for the Nobel Peace Prize," Rep. Darren Soto, a Democrat from Florida, wrote in a post on X. "This should cinch it for him right?"
What's next?
On Friday, GOP Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Mike Lee of Utah introduced legislation — the Department of War Restoration Act — to formally change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
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Rep. Greg Steube, a Republican from Florida, introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
"The United States military is not a purely defensive force," Scott said in a statement. "We are the most lethal fighting force on the face of the planet — ready to defeat any enemy when called upon. Restoring the name to Department of War reflects our true purpose: to dominate wars, not merely respond after being provoked."
"It should always be clear to anyone who would harm our people," Lee added. "Americans don't just play defense."
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Well, it is fitting, as it is all about being ‘offensive’.
From what I read, only Congress can change the name of a department. As Trump is only issuing an EO, it will not actually change the name. From what I read, the EO will designate 'Department of War' as a secondary title as a way to get around the need for congressional approval. So perhaps the cost will not be as bad as some portray.
No official cost estimates have come out yet. I've seen estimates from tens of millions to a billion dollars estimated. So the 'billions' from Political seems to be pulled out of their nether regions rather than any real ideas but it's a good time to bash on Trump so I get it.
They missed a little piece here which I think is important. When the DOD was created, the Navy was a separate department. They were all integrated into the Department of Defense, just renaming it to the Department of War isn't going to change that.
I think changing the name is dumb, but it gives the political spectrum out in the public something to fight over.
Department of Defense was fine. Americans are not clamoring for "War".
As I said in the last line of my posts, I think changing the name is dumb. But it does give the people on different partisan spectrums something to fight over.
But it would be nice if you actually addressed anything in my comment rather than what you posted.
I don't care what they call it, I am more concerned with how they operate. They have failed seven audits now, there is way too much money spread over a very large organization and rather than worrying about the name I would rather they worry about how much money they waste and/or cannot account for. Additionally the procurement process is so cumbersome that they cannot rapidly pivot as battlefield demands change. The Ukrainian war has shown that a military needs to be able to quickly adapt to changing requirements on the battlefield. The war fighting process of 80 years ago won't work on tomorrows battlefields.
That to me is much more important than what they call themselves.
They are going to spend billions of dollars remaking all the signage and stationary connected to the military. Why again? Trump wants it because it makes him feel more badass.
On topic enough?
Exactly
Oh, that's the topic of the seed but still doesn't address anything from my original post.
Silly me, and here I thought the purpose of a conversation was to actually discuss things back and forth rather than just rant.
Why does every comment made about Trump have to be a "rant" to you guys? I dont think the country should spend billions of dollars for an unnecessary changein order to fluff Trump (or Hegseth).
As far as defense spending goes, I would cut it in half across the board.
I don't speak for other people, only myself. I don't consider every comment made about Trump to be a rant, but when someone fails in a reply to respond to anything I have posted then I consider the person is just ranting. At the very least, you actually responded to something in the post. Bravo, this is how conversation works.
And I agree. I already said I think the name change is dumb. As I pointed out above, they cannot just change the name this way as the power to change the name of a department resides with Congress. Now if Congress passes a bill then it's legal. I still would think it's a dumb idea. For what it's worth, I don't care if it's called the Department of Fred so long as the operators are the most lethal motherfuckers in the battle.
Perhaps, but I would love it more if they could actually pass an audit. Then they would actually know where all the money is going. IMO the number 1 concern is to streamline the procurement process. That's a clusterfuck based on WWII ideas and does not allow for rapid changes in a faster environment such as we are seeing in Ukraine. I read a story the other day about some Army units using government credit cards to purchase new equipment online in order to test in real time.
And let not forget the political spectrum here on NT-- hopefully it will give us something to fight over as well!
If our military is really as incompetant as you mentioned . . . then why not call it "The Department of Ineptitude"/
That should motivate people,,, as well as convincing people we are not just aboutdefense!
Speaking of "Nether Regions"...remember: you can have problems with your "Nether regions" if you sit on the toilet with your cell phone!
Smartphone overuse linked to a new pain in the butt: hemorrhoids
All a matter of semantics in the end. Do you honestly think it will make one bit of difference to the vast majority of warfighters in the military doing their jobs? I can almost guarantee it won't. Won't change their jobs any. Only folks against it are a certain segment of the political spectrum with axes to grind from the get go.
What is the point of this, Ed? Other than Trump playing King and doing what he pleases, what useful purpose does this serve?
If it has no "useful purpose", why are you commenting other than downing Trump?
Yet another pointless act by Trump.
You have a problem with valid criticism of a PotUS?
That was pretty much going to be my reply but you beat me to it. It does not have to have a useful purpose. It's use was to motivate people. If TiG disagrees with that, that is a choice they are welcome to.
If it was a valid criticism, I'd have no issue.
But, it's not.
You haven't told us a useful purpose.
What then is the useful purpose of trying to change the name of the DoD to the Department of War?
Seems to me that you are merely objecting to any criticism of Trump.
So you suggest it has no useful purpose but then suggest the purpose is to motivate people. You think Trump is trying to change the name of the DoD as part of some motivational initiative? Motivation for what?
The problem is that most of the time, they are against something because Trump is doing it.
It is well known that if a D did the same, bluesky would be lit up with accolades and more calls to off conservatives...even though they do that now.
Another cliche attempt to defend Trump. No evidence, no facts, just a convenient contrived hypothesis that criticism of Trump is not based on his words and deeds. A convenient claim when one cannot put forth a cogent counterargument.
If anyone, of any party, of any ideology, of any demographic you can think of were to engage in the words and deeds of Trump that I have criticized, the exact same criticism would be levied against them. I can (and do) provide a supporting argument for each of my criticisms.
Can you even imagine any other PotUS imposing tariffs and trolling other nations like Trump has done? That is but one example of Trump's bad words and deeds.
One can only hope that Trump is an outlier ... although I do not hold out much hope that this is true anymore.
See the last sentence in post #1.3 above. That says it all.
I'll reverse that - where's your "useful purpose" of changing the name back to its original name - a name it had for 158 YEARs with no issues/concerns/whataboutisms
Why change to a name purely because they wanted to say all services are included (which is a lie - where's the CG??)
So, an agency in charge of the Defense and Offense is an issue to you?
Why???
Because, (hint) - read the thread -
"We are the most lethal fighting force on the face of the planet — ready to defeat any enemy when called upon. Restoring the name to Department of War reflects our true purpose: to dominate wars, not merely respond after being provoked."
"It should always be clear to anyone who would harm our people," Lee added. "Americans don't just play defense."
War covers offense and defense something most of us are proud of.
ANY criticism of Trump?? Nope, just the constant inane blabbering seen on NT from folks who don't/won't bother to think prior to commenting.
So you think changing the name of the DoD accomplishes something of value … that it will cause other nations to think differently about the USA as if they are so inept to not already understand our capabilities?
As if a name change provides some new level of clarity.
What it does is project an image of warmongering. That is counterproductive.
So, once again, Trump makes a stupid, pointless move and people like you rush to defend it.
IM), if our military doesn't have motvation already-- then we have a problem.
That's a great idea!
Trump wants to change the name to let the world know that we can do both offense-- as well as defense.
So why not call it "The Department of Offense and Defense?
Actually, recent news indicates that in addition to that, he wants to use it to hunt down (and cancel!) Venezuealan Drug Dealers. (Which of course also is not in its current name).
The truth is-- we want the world to know that we don't do just defense and offense-- Oh no! We actually do offense, defense and neutralizing Venezuelan drug dealers!
So why not call it The Departmen of Defense, Offense, and Cancelling Venezuelan Drug Dealers?
It will let people know that we don't only act defenseively but we can be offensive as well.
(I know its true because Trump said it!)
After four years of emasculation by the Biden administration it is still a work in progress.
I wonder which leader on the planet was unaware that the USA can act offensively. All Trump knows how to do is put on a bullshit show.
That's a lot of words spent to not answer a question.
I asked chatGPT: why was the name changed to the Defense Department---
I noticed that it said both 1947 and 1949 so I asked: Which is it, 1947 or 1949---
So there is why the name was changed by Congress.
In my 20 years of Naval service, I don’t think I ever uttered the words ‘Department of Defense’
No reason to.
‘Only folks against it are a certain segment of the political spectrum with axes to grind from the get go.’
claiming ‘nonpartisan’ but have never said a positive word of any republican, and almost nothing but accolades for democrats.’
Bunch of fakers
Perhaps that's because Republicans say shit like this sitting Republican Senator...
[deleted][✘]
After all the base name shenanigans? Now you're concerned?
I was thinking the same thing.
This has been his business model for forever. He acquires something that already exists, changes its name, and then pretends he is bringing you something shiny and new that’s better than everything that came before.
.
.
I wonder how the MAGAverse would have just exploded in outrage if Biden had said something like “Basically, what we’re doing is expanding Medicare. There’s a new word that I came up with, expanding, which is probably the best word,”... Do any Trump supporters believe they would have reacted with the same shrug of their shoulders as they did when Trump claimed he invented the word 'equalizing'? Or is it just that truly, most MAGAites didn't know 'equalizing' was already a word?
Hell,didn't Trump say he invented, or brought back the word groceries, and since he is gross, seriously, some people are saying, it's the greatest word never not reinvented...
Hell,didn't Trump say he invented, or brought back the word groceries,
Good point!
Yes, its true-- he's made America Have Groceries Again!
(If its just "The Dept. of War and Peace" that might give people the idea that its only about War and Peace-- and not about making more groceries for Americans.
War, Peace and Groceries!
So perhaps it should be called The Dept. of War and Peace and Groceries!
(Nobody's ever seen anything like it before!)
We need more bag boys im thinkin
True!
Heck, nobody's ever seen anything like it before!
Oh, and BTW-- THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!!!
Trump claims America changed from "War" to "Defense" because Harry Truman went "woke".
Benn Steil on X: "Could never have imagined anyone calling Harry Truman, Jim Forrestal, and the 1947 Republican Congress "woke" . . ." / X
So, and "X'r" gives his PERSONAL OPINION and you wanna treat it as fact????
Did you click the link? It is a video of Trumps own words. He says the name was changed after WW2 because we went "woke".
Thats all there is to it.
Stop. You're making conservatives think too hard, they're not used to it.
Maybe someone will create a similar prize and call it the "War Prize", so it would be a more fitting award ln the circumstances.
He and Putin could be co=winner/losers, oh, they already are....
LOL
Excellent idea!
(And Thank you for your attention to this matter!)
Maybe someone should do a "GoFundMe" campaign and get their name attached to the prize. I think the prize should be a laurel wreath, similar to the one that Julius Caesar wore on his head, but in gold to match Trump's White House decorations.
Excellent artwork Buzz-- nobody's ever seen anything like it before!
Oh and BTW-- A big Thank You for your attention to this matter!
Did you ask everyone?
That expression sounds familiar.
Well, I actually asked "Nobody".
Why?
Because Nobody's one who has never seen anything like it before!
That's pretty strange actually (seeing as nobody's ever heard anything like it before!)
I've never seen it posted anywhere before, but I'm somebody.
Are you sure about that?
It wouldn't surprise me if he wanted to change the name USA to "Trumpland".
The we could have a "Gulf of Trumpland" ...sort of like Michael Jackson's "Neverland" but without the Epstein factor!
(Or am I mixing my metaphors?)
Oooops--- my bad!
I forgot-- Trump doesn't want us to mention the #Epstein #Brouhaha...
BROUHAHA . .
Haha!
Actually, you're quite a mixmaster.
Since people seem to enjoy controversy, and always seem to want to make a big Brouhaha over minor things-- why don't they just rename the department "The Department of Cracker Barrel"?
Okay, as long as there's an image of an old countryman sitting next to a Cracker Barrel on its sign.
Since people seem to enjoy controversy, and always seem to want to make a big Brouhaha over minor things-- why don't they just rename the department "The Department of Cracker Barrel"?
Of course then it might possibly not be such a big Brouhaha (which people love so much)-- but then it would probably be just a minor Kerfuffle!
Oh, you're SUCH an etymologist.