The United States Capitol, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — Three Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to codify into federal law President Donald Trump’s decision to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Mike Lee of Utah, as well as Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, said they want to make the name change permanent and official to better reflect the mission of the Pentagon.
“The United States military is not a purely defensive force,” said Scott, a Navy veteran. “Restoring the name to Department of War reflects our true purpose: to dominate wars, not merely respond after being provoked.”
Trump is expected to sign an executive order Friday resurrecting the name, which was used for the military for more than 150 years. Trump said the U.S. had an “unbelievable history of victory” under the Department of War and the name “just sounded better.”
It is unclear if he can make the name change unilaterally.
Congress established the Department of Defense and the title of secretary of defense shortly after President Harry S. Truman removed the Department of War name as part of the National Security Act of 1947.
The law split the Army and Air Force into separate military branches and merged them with the Navy into a single organization called the National Military Establishment, which Congress renamed the Defense Department two years later.
In August, Trump said he was “sure Congress will go along” with the return of the Department of War name.
Steube, an Army veteran, said the renaming will honor the valor of troops who fought under the banner of the Department of War from 1789 until the end of World War II, including in wars against Britain, Spain and Mexico as well as the Civil War.
“Thanks to their courage and sacrifice, the standard of excellence was established for all service members who followed in their footsteps,” he said. “It is only fitting that we pay tribute to their eternal example and renowned commitment to lethality by restoring the name of the ‘Department of War’ to our Armed Forces.”
Democratic lawmakers have criticized Trump for the move.
Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a Navy veteran, said “only someone who avoided the draft would want to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War.”
Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey joked that the name change was something his 8-year-old son would come up with.
“Kidding aside, this is about our service members risking their lives,” he wrote on X. “Americans want to prevent wars, not tout them.”
