President and Secretary of Defense favor a return to the historic name, arguing it better reflects a proactive national security posture.

President Donald Trump on Monday announced his desire to rename the Department of Defense to its historic title, the “Department of War.” The president, speaking from the Oval Office, said the former name “had a stronger sound” and better encompassed the country’s military capabilities.

“It used to be called the Department of War. It had a stronger sound… we are defenders,” Trump said. “If you people behind me want to take a little vote and change it back to what it was when we used to win wars all the time, that’s OK with me… We want defense but we want offense too, OK?”

Standing alongside him, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded, “It’s co

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