The Trump administration is considering renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, according to the Wall Street Journal, after President Trump suggested the idea earlier this week.
Restoring the historic “Department of War” title would likely require Congress, though the White House is exploring alternative routes. Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida filed an amendment to the annual defense policy bill supporting the change, signaling some congressional backing.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly emphasized Trump’s focus on offensive military capabilities over diversity and inclusion programs, highlighting his administration’s priority on warfighters.
Trump said that the Department of War “had a stronger sound” and claimed that rebranding would reflect the US military’s commitment to offence as well as defense. The department adopted its current name in 1949 following the National Security Act of 1947, which unified the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Additionally, the administration has pursued other military changes, including removing top leaders and restricting transgender service members, actions that have drawn criticism from civil rights advocates.
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With inputs from Reuters
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