Trump Announces Name Change for Department of Defense

The Trump Administration is moving ahead with plans to change the Pentagon’s official name back to its original title, the Department of War.

The name, which existed from the nation’s founding until 1947, was abandoned after World War II when Congress reorganized U.S. military affairs under the newly created Department of Defense.

Congressional Path Forward

Changing the name would likely require congressional approval, though the White House is also reviewing possible alternatives.

U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) has already introduced an amendment to the annual defense bill that would restore the original name, signaling support from within the GOP.

A Pentagon spokesperson said the name better reflects the military’s mission and offensive strength.

White House Statement

“As President Trump said, our military should be focused on offense – not just defense – which is why he has prioritized warfighters at the Pentagon instead of DEI and woke ideology,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said. “Stay tuned!”

Trump told reporters Monday that the older name “just sounded better.”

“It used to be called the Department of War and it had a stronger sound,” Trump said. “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.”

Historical Background

President George Washington’s original cabinet in 1789 included just four departments: State, Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Department of War, led by Revolutionary War General Henry Knox.

The War Department existed until 1947, when President Harry Truman pushed for a unified system to coordinate U.S. military affairs after World War II. The National Security Act of 1947 created the National Military Establishment (NME), placing the Army, Navy, and newly formed Air Force under one umbrella.

Two years later, in 1949, the NME was renamed the Department of Defense, with James Forrestal as its first Secretary.