In a surprising Oval Office exchange, former President Donald Trump suggested a dramatic rebranding of the Pentagon reviving the old title “Department of War,” which was scrapped more than 75 years ago.
The comments came during Trump’s meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, when a routine question about U.S. military deployment in Washington, D.C. triggered an unexpected tirade. Trump praised Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he had been “incredible with the Department of War,” before teasing that a name change might be coming soon.
“You know, we call it the Department of Defense, but I think we’re going to change the name. We may have information on that very soon,” Trump declared.
The former president argued that America’s greatest victories, including World War I and World War II, occurred when the military branch carried the “Department of War” name. To him, “Defense” sounds weak compared to the country’s history of wartime triumphs.
Why Was the Department of War Renamed?
While Trump framed the switch as a sign of political correctness, history tells a different story. The title was officially dropped in 1947, when President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act. This landmark reform reorganized America’s military structure in the aftermath of World War II, creating the Department of the Army, Navy, and the newly established Air Force all under the authority of the new Secretary of Defense.
The change wasn’t about ideology but rather about modernization and coordination across military branches during the Cold War era.
What Does This Mean Today?
If Trump follows through with this proposal, it could reignite debates about America’s role in global conflicts and whether the country should project strength through aggressive branding or stick with the more defensive posture established in the mid-20th century.
For now, Trump has only teased the idea, promising more details “in the coming weeks.” Still, the suggestion has already sparked WW3 fears and heated political discussion, showing just how symbolic names and labels can be in shaping U.S. military identity.
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