Overview

• President Donald Trump said he wants to change the Department of Defense’s name to the Department of War and framed the shift as embracing offense as well as defense.
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded on camera, saying, “It’s coming soon, sir,” though no formal change has taken effect.
• The U.S. War Department dates to 1789, and a 1949 amendment to the National Security Act created the current Department of Defense structure.
• Trump made the remarks after signing executive orders targeting flag burning and cashless bail in Washington, D.C.
• The Pentagon confirmed National Guard troops are now authorized to carry service weapons in the capital, and published reports say the administration is developing plans to send thousands of Guard members to Chicago, which city and state leaders oppose.