President Trump plans to rename the Defense Department as the Department of War [View all]

(NPR) -snip- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge the change in a post on social media on Thursday, writing simply, "DEPARTMENT OF WAR."

President Trump has previously signaled that a change was in the works. During an appearance in the Oval Office last month, Trump said that War Department "just sounded to me better."

It's not clear whether Trump can officially change the name without congressional action, but he told reporters, "We're just gonna do it."

"I'm sure Congress will go along if we need that. I don't think we even need that. But if we need that, I'm sure Congress will go along," Trump said.

https://www.npr.org/2025/09/04/nx-s1-5529420/trump-department-of-war-department-of-defense