Overview

• The White House confirmed it is advancing plans to change the Department of Defense’s name to the Department of War, echoing reporting first noted by the Wall Street Journal.
• Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said the effort reflects President Trump’s focus on offense and prioritizing warfighters over DEI programs.
• Trump said earlier this week that details could come “over the next week or so,” calling the older name a better fit for the U.S. military.
• Because the department’s name is set in law, a formal change would likely require congressional action, though officials are exploring informal or administrative options.
• Rep. Greg Steube filed an amendment to the annual defense policy bill to enact the rename, and the broader effort aligns with administration moves reported to include leadership shake-ups and restrictions on transgender service members.