‘We’re just going to do it’: Trump wants to change the Defense Department’s name to something both unnecessary and terrifying

Donald Trump has announced his intention to make a completely unnecessary change to the name given to the Department of Defense. This change is not only a waste of time and energy, but would also typically require an act of congress, something which Trump openly admits he intends to flout.

Speaking with reporters on Monday the President informed them that the Department of Defense would undergo a name change shortly, if he goes through with it (which is looking likely) then it will be known as the Department of War in the future. 

Why would Donald Trump change the name?

Trump has multiple reasons for wanting to change the name, none of them are particularly good. One reason is that it was the original name when “we won World War I, World War II,” but the biggest issue he has with the current name is that he believes that the word “defense” sounds too weak. Trump told reporters “Defense is too defensive and we want to be defensive but we want to be offensive too if we have to be.”

While it’s somewhat ridiculous to be so heavily focused on the name, it does offer a glimpse into how Trump may be intending to use the Department of Defense in the future. Names are important and while the word “defense” implies protection and only getting involved when necessary, changing the name to the Department of War suggests more aggression and a more active role in conflicts around the world. 

Is Trump planning to drag the U.S. into more unnecessary wars? It could give him the chance to cling to power after all. It’s all a part of Trump and Pete Hegseth’s vow to restore the “warrior ethos” to the department which they believe has been lost. The name change from Department of War to Department of Defense has been blamed on political correctness and we all know how much Trump hates that.

This would require congress to get involved

Trump was also asked by a reporter that the name change would take an act of congress to which the president seemed unphased, shaking his head and telling her, “we’re just going to do it, I’m sure congress will go along if we need that, I don’t think we even need that.”

Once again it seems Trump is ignoring the protocols and rules to make the changes he desires. A name change is small but sidelining congress now will open the door for him to continue doing so. In fact, he’s already done it a few times before.

It’s looking very probable that Trump will have his way. If so then the name change could be brought in very soon indeed, perhaps even within a week.