Republicans in Congress unveiled legislation Friday that would bolster the Trump administration’s push to rebrand the Department of Defense as the “Department of War” — a moniker the U.S. military apparatus held until an overhaul in the 1940s.
President Trump, who had floated the idea in recent weeks, is expected to issue an executive order Friday that will technically change the name, but an official switch requires approval from Congress.
Trump is expected to speak to reporters at 4 p.m. EDT.
Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) are leading the renaming legislation on the Senate side, while Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) is taking the lead in the House, according to a joint news release from the three lawmakers.
“The United States military is not a purely defensive force,” Scott said in a statement. “We are the most lethal fighting force on the face of the planet — ready to defeat any enemy when called upon.”
“Restoring the name to Department of War reflects our true purpose: to dominate wars, not merely respond after being provoked,” he added.
The Department of War was established by George Washington in 1789. It existed until 1947, when it was reorganized by then-President Harry Truman. It was renamed the Department of Defense in 1949.
Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who would get the new title of secretary of War, have openly advocated for the Pentagon to revert to its historical name. Hegseth wrote “DEPARTMENT OF WAR” in an all-caps post on X on Thursday.
“Defense is a part of that, but I have a feeling we’re going to be changing,” Trump told reporters last week. “We had an unbelievable history of victory when it was Department of War.”
