Trump Administration Pushes to Restore Pentagon’s Original Name: The Department of War

The Trump administration is reportedly moving forward with plans to revert the Pentagon’s name from the Department of Defense back to its historical title, the Department of War, a move that has stirred both intrigue and controversy in Washington.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the White House has been weighing legal and legislative options to reinstate the name first used when the department was founded in the late 18th century. While such a change would likely require congressional approval, administration insiders suggest there is growing momentum among key Republican lawmakers to make it happen.

A Push for a Stronger Image

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed that the idea aligns with President Donald Trump’s emphasis on restoring America’s military assertiveness.

“As President Trump has said, our military should focus on offense, not just defense,” Kelly stated. “The name ‘Department of War’ reflects strength and purpose — a commitment to protecting American interests by projecting power when necessary.”

The proposal was first publicly hinted at during a campaign-style rally, where Trump lamented what he called the “softening” of the U.S. military’s image over recent decades.

“It used to be called the Department of War — and it had a stronger sound,” Trump said. “We want peace, but peace through strength. When it was the Department of War, America won every conflict. Maybe it’s time to go back to that mindset.”

Congressional Support Building

In Congress, Rep. Greg Steube (R–FL) has introduced an amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would officially rename the Pentagon. Steube argued that the current title does not fully reflect the purpose of America’s armed forces.

“Our enemies don’t fear the Department of Defense,” Steube said on the House floor. “They feared the Department of War — a department that stood for victory, not bureaucracy.”

The measure has yet to gain traction among Democrats, who view it as symbolic and politically charged. Still, conservative lawmakers and military veterans have voiced support, suggesting that the rebranding could signal a new strategic posture under Trump’s leadership.

A Return to Historical Roots

The Department of War was one of the first four Cabinet-level agencies established under President George Washington in 1789, alongside the Departments of State, Treasury, and Justice. Its first leader, Henry Knox, was a former Continental Army general.

For more than 150 years, the War Department oversaw all military operations, including both the Army and the Navy. That structure changed in 1947, when President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act, creating a unified Department of Defense to better coordinate operations between the newly established Air Force and the Army and Navy.

Truman’s goal was to modernize the military in the aftermath of World War II and strengthen national security during the early years of the Cold War. But according to Trump officials, that shift also marked the beginning of what they see as a more bureaucratic and reactive defense posture.

A Controversial Pentagon Shake-Up

The push for a name change comes amid broader upheaval inside the Pentagon. Last week, Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), was abruptly dismissed after a leaked assessment suggested that U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities had achieved limited success.

The DIA’s classified report, obtained by CNN, reportedly concluded that the strikes delayed Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months and left much of its uranium stockpile intact.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Kruse from his position, citing “a loss of confidence” in his leadership. Christine Bordine, the agency’s deputy director, has since been appointed as acting chief.

Trump responded furiously to the leak, calling it “an attempt to demean one of the most successful military strikes in history.” On Truth Social, he wrote in all caps: “THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED!”

The internal shake-up underscores a growing divide between Trump’s Pentagon leadership team and segments of the intelligence community, which have been criticized by Trump allies for undermining his foreign policy decisions.

Critics Warn of Militaristic Optics

While supporters hail the proposed renaming as a symbolic restoration of America’s fighting spirit, critics argue it sends the wrong message.

“This is not the 18th century,” said retired Army General Mark Hertling, a CNN military analyst. “Changing the name back to the Department of War implies aggression, not defense — and that could have diplomatic repercussions.”

Historians also caution that while the War Department name carries historical weight, it might clash with modern military doctrine, which emphasizes deterrence, diplomacy, and coalition-building.

What Comes Next

Any official name change would require legislation, meaning Congress must vote on the matter. However, sources close to the administration suggest Trump may pursue executive options to direct the Pentagon to begin using the historical term informally in speeches, reports, and internal correspondence.

“This is about reclaiming our heritage,” said a senior White House adviser. “The Department of War represents strength, clarity, and victory — all values this president intends to restore to our military.”

As the debate unfolds, the proposal has already captured the public’s imagination, reigniting discussion about America’s role on the world stage — and whether its future should look more like its past.