The U.S. Department of Defense has submitted to Congress a legislative initiative aimed at changing its designation officially from the “Department of Defense” to the “Department of War.” In September last year, President Donald Trump had revived the pre-1947 title by decree. The old name signifies more than the new peace through strength, as it demonstrates the ability and the will to wage wars and to win, in the name of the nation, at any time, not merely to defend, according to the decree at the time.
The decree went on to state: “This name sharpens the focus of the department on our own national interest and the focus of our adversaries on our will and the readiness to wage war to secure what is ours. I have therefore decided that this department should again be referred to as the War Department and the minister as the Secretary of War.” Both may use this as a secondary title and address it in official correspondence, public statements, ceremonial occasions, and non-legislative executive documents as well.
“Department of War” so far only when there is no confusion
In statutory texts, however, the previous name remained authoritative. Nevertheless, all parts of the executive should place the secondary title in their internal and external communications, provided this does not lead to “confusion.” Now, the arrangement is apparently to be ended by a decision of Congress, which is the body actually responsible for naming the ministries. According to the Pentagon’s estimate, the costs will amount to $52.5 million, while the Congressional Budget Office estimates up to $125 million.
Given the department’s request for a total of $1.5 trillion for the defense budget in 2027, both sums appear more like pocket change. On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, are to present the record-high draft before the Senate Armed Services Committee. How the mood among its members – including on the Republican side – is after the various defense-policy escapades of the Trump administration, most recently with the somewhat unsuccessful Iran War, remains to be seen.
