U.S. President Trump's administration is considering renaming the current "Department of Defense" to the "Department of War," a name that was used for a long time before 1947. According to White House sources, such a name change normally requires congressional approval, but the White House is considering other ways to achieve it. Trump has mentioned this matter in public many times, saying that the United States has "achieved more victories" in history under the name of the "War Department" and hinted that the name change may be completed in the short term.
The Pentagon began studying relevant legislative options early in its second term, including the possibility of restoring the old title and title of "Secretary of War" during a national emergency.
The predecessor of the U.S. Department of Defense can be traced back to 1789. It was originally the "Department of War" and was mainly responsible for the affairs of the Army, while the Department of the Navy existed independently. After World War II, in order to improve overall efficiency, then-President Truman promoted the establishment of a "national military agency" and officially changed its name to the "Department of Defense" in 1949.
Trump believes that the title "Department of Defense" is "not tough enough." Current U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth also said at a recent cabinet meeting that "the name Department of Defense does not sound appropriate."
Analysts pointed out that once implemented, this move may become one of the most controversial system adjustments during Trump's second term.