The Trump administration is looking at a controversial plan to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War. President Trump argues that this change would better show the US military’s offensive capabilities. According to the Wall Street Journal, lawmakers and administration officials are considering how to make this change happen, with some support in Congress starting to show.
Renaming the department will likely require approval from Congress, but the White House is exploring other options to move forward with the idea. Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida has proposed an amendment to the annual defense policy bill supporting the change, which indicates some backing in Congress.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly highlighted Trump’s emphasis on offensive military capabilities rather than diversity and inclusion programs. She pointed out that his administration prioritizes warfighters. Trump remarked that the Department of War “had a stronger sound” and claimed that changing the name would reflect the military’s commitment to both offense and defense.
“It used to be called the Department of War and it had a stronger sound,” Trump stated. “We want defense, but we want offense too… As Department of War, we won everything. We won everything and I think we’re going to have to go back to that,” he added.
The department took on its current name in 1949 after the National Security Act of 1947, which unified the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have been advocating for a more assertive military image. They have also been making other changes, including removing leaders whose views clash with Trump’s agenda.
Moreover, the administration has pursued other military changes, such as removing top leaders and limiting transgender service members, actions that have faced criticism from civil rights groups.
