WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump said on Thursday he wanted to change the name of the U.S. Department of Defense to the “Department of War.” He argues this name better reflects the mission and history of success of the American military. The President said in the Oval Office that the present moniker seems too passive and that the historic name “War” has a “stronger sound.”
“Before it was called the Department of War, we won World War I and World War II. We won it all. Trump told the press, “We now have a Department of Defense. We’re defenders.” He went on to say that he wants to see “offense too.”
According to a source from Fox News, Trump will sign an executive order on Friday to start the name change. The presidential order is expected to let the Secretary of Defense use the title “Secretary of War” and let the agency use “Department of War” as a “secondary title.” However, a full change needs to be approved by Congress.
The Trump administration and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are pushing for a “warrior ethos” campaign that includes this choice. Hegseth has hinted at the name change in public, and the White House has said that the change is meant to help the military focus on its main purpose.
President Harry S. Truman’s administration gave the Department of Defense its current name in 1949. The National Security Act of 1947 called for a substantial reform of the U.S. military after World War II. Its goal was to bring the Army, Navy, and newly formed Air Force together under a single civilian-led organization. The Department of War was the name of the department from its start in 1789 until now.
Opponents say that the new moniker could be seen as too forceful and could have legal and diplomatic consequences. But the Trump administration has emphasized many times that it is sure that both the American people and Congress will like the name change.