Pentagon presses Congress to keep measure changing name to 'Department of War'

The Pentagon is urging Congress to retain provisions in the upcoming defense policy bill that would officially rename the Department of Defense as the "Department of War," reflecting a shift in perspective on military strategy. The move, championed by former President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, signals a departure from decades of euphemistic terminology, acknowledging the inherent conflict at the core of the military’s mission. Critics argue the change could carry psychological weight, while supporters see it as an overdue acknowledgment of reality. The debate highlights broader tensions over how the U.S. frames its military identity in an era of prolonged global engagements.

The Pentagon is pressing Congress to keep measures in the annual defense policy bill that would formally authorize the name change from Department of Defense to "Department of War." “President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had the conviction to say so plainly. Many in Washington would have left the name alone. The...