I can't. It appears to be just "look fierce", or "make it so the public won't complain when we invade somebody". As if the problem with invading, say, Canada was ever that it was called "Department of Defense".
zb3•2h ago
This name is much more accurate. The US isn't invaded, they invade.
al_borland•2h ago
This is the explanation from the White House:
> The Founders chose this name to signal our strength and resolve to the world. The name “Department of War,” more than the current “Department of Defense,” ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend. This name sharpens the Department’s focus on our own national interest and our adversaries’ focus on our willingness and availability to wage war to secure what is ours.
The name doesn't ensure anything. But all right, it's intended (at face value) to say "we will attack, not just defend". Interesting.
jerlam•1h ago
The only people who would notice the name change are people in the US, not its enemies. The previous name clearly hasn't stopped the US from initiating wars, nor would other countries notice the difference.
acdha•2h ago
Their statements make it clear it’s about projecting the image of strength – c.f. Hegseth talking about winning wars – but I would say it’s more honest. The last time our ability to defend the mainland was really in question was the civil war, so calling it the department of war is more accurately reflecting the more voluntary nature of conflict since then.
bediger4000•2h ago
Renaming like this is kind of dumb. Historically, Department of War governed the US Army. This rename does an injustice to the US Navy, Air Force and Space Force, lumping them all under "war". It's pretty clearly done on the whim of Trump, which is no way to run a republic.
Admitting that would ruin the facade, so there will be some advanced hermeneutics pushed to justify the rename.
realz•2h ago
Because Department of pillage and plunder will be too obvious.
andrewinardeer•56m ago
Will subdomains be added as conflicts occur?
iran.war.gov
venezuela.war.gov
drugs.war.gov
nato.war.gov
oriettaxx•39m ago
:) :) :)
Come on, they'll prefer sub directories, so the "slash" :)
war.gov/iran
war.gov/venezuela
treetalker•11m ago
Ministry of Silly Pocket Squares
ciconia•1m ago
All that's left now is to rename the Nobel peace prize:
AnimalMuppet•2h ago
I can't. It appears to be just "look fierce", or "make it so the public won't complain when we invade somebody". As if the problem with invading, say, Canada was ever that it was called "Department of Defense".
zb3•2h ago
al_borland•2h ago
> The Founders chose this name to signal our strength and resolve to the world. The name “Department of War,” more than the current “Department of Defense,” ensures peace through strength, as it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment’s notice, not just to defend. This name sharpens the Department’s focus on our own national interest and our adversaries’ focus on our willingness and availability to wage war to secure what is ours.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/rest...
AnimalMuppet•2h ago
jerlam•1h ago
acdha•2h ago
bediger4000•2h ago
Admitting that would ruin the facade, so there will be some advanced hermeneutics pushed to justify the rename.