U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that he plans to rename the Department of Defense back to the "Department of War," stating the change is likely "going to be made over the next week or so" according to remarks made at the White House.
Speaking from the Oval Office surrounded by Cabinet members, Trump argued that "it used to be called the Department of War. It had a stronger sound" and emphasized his preference for a more assertive military posture beyond just defense.
The President highlighted the military's historical success under the original name, telling reporters "We won World War I, World War II, and it was called the Department of War" and praised the nation's "unbelievable history of victory" under that designation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whom Trump has already referred to as heading "the Department of War," appears supportive of the proposed change, which would reverse the 1947 renaming implemented under President Harry Truman.
While Trump expressed confidence that "Congress will go along with that," the name change would require congressional approval, as the current Department of Defense designation has been in use for 76 years since the post-World War II military reorganization.
