On Sept. 5, President Donald Trump signed an executive order restoring “the historic name” of the U.S. Department of Defense, the “Department of War.” A new website debuted -- war.gov .

In 1798, President George Washington signed a law creating the “Department of War,” the executive order noted. Reverting to that name “demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend,” said the order.

Some argue the name change may signal a greater willingness to use lethal means to advance U.S. interests -- such as President Trump’s Sept. 2 decision to direct the U.S. military to blow up a small powerboat that the administration said was part of a Venezuelan gang’s drug-smuggling.

The president is free to refer seconda

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