Defense Sec Pete Hegseth Wants to Rename The Department of Defense

In a surprise move, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth floated the idea of renaming the Department of Defense to its original name, the Department of War. The idea gained traction on social media but raises questions about timing and priorities.

Key Facts:

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted an informal poll on X (formerly Twitter) asking if the Department of Defense should be renamed the Department of War.
The poll received about 170,000 votes in 18 hours, with a slight majority favoring the old name.
Elon Musk responded, saying “War is more accurate.”
The Department of War was the original name from 1789 until it was changed in 1949.
There is no official confirmation that the Trump administration is seriously pursuing the name change.

The Rest of The Story:

The Department of War was one of the first cabinet positions created under President George Washington, led by Henry Knox.

It remained under that name until the post-World War II era, when President Truman’s 1947 National Security Act restructured the military and eventually renamed it the Department of Defense in 1949.

Hegseth’s social media poll is part of a larger pattern of symbolic name changes supported by Trump, including renaming Mount Denali back to Mount McKinley and proposing a new name for the Gulf of Mexico.

Trump himself recently referred to the “Department of War” on Truth Social, but there’s no confirmation that a formal change is in the works.

Despite the buzz online, many wonder why this issue is being brought up now, with so many real-world threats facing the U.S. military.

Critics argue that rebranding the Pentagon shouldn’t be a top concern.

Better name?

Have my thoughts…welcome yours. #PeoplesPentagon

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) March 22, 2025

Commentary:

If President Trump and Secretary Hegseth want to rename the Department of Defense back to the Department of War, that’s their call.

We don’t object to it—but let’s be honest, it’s not exactly a pressing national issue.

Renaming a department won’t change its mission, structure, or budget.

Whether it’s called “War” or “Defense,” the Pentagon’s job stays the same—protecting the country and winning wars when necessary.

The term “Department of War” may be more historically blunt, but words alone won’t make the military more effective.

What actually matters is rebuilding strength, improving readiness, and cutting political agendas like DEI from the ranks.

Since “Judge” Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers on how to execute High Value Target Raids…after that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare. https://t.co/CNrl252Irs

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) March 22, 2025

If this name change leads to spending millions on rebranding, new logos, signs, and documents—it sounds like a waste of money.

That’s the kind of performative politics most Americans are tired of.

Americans want a military that’s strong, focused, and well-led.

They don’t care what the stationery says.

So while this debate might get attention online, it probably won’t amount to much in practice.

In a world where China, Russia, and Iran are testing limits, our leaders should stay focused on results—not rhetoric.

The Bottom Line:

Pete Hegseth’s poll on renaming the Department of Defense sparked debate, but it’s unclear if it’s anything more than a social media stunt.

Changing the name won’t impact how the military operates or is funded.

At a time when real global threats are rising, spending time—and possibly taxpayer dollars—on a rebrand feels like a distraction from the challenges that actually matter.