Trump plans to rename Department of Defense: 'We want to be offensive too'

President Donald Trump said Congress would go along with renaming the Department of Defense if approval was needed
PUBLISHED AUG 26, 2025
President Donald Trump suggested that he could change the name of the Department of Defense back to the Department of War (Getty Images)
President Donald Trump suggested that he could change the name of the Department of Defense back to the Department of War (Getty Images)


 

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Monday, August 25, that he wants to rename the Department of Defense, and added that if he needs legislative approval, then "Congress will go along" with it.

The US Department of Defense was established by the National Security Act of 1947, succeeding the former US Department of War.

Donald Trump plans to rename Department of Defense

Donald Trump met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House on Monday, and at one point during the meeting, the POTUS indicated that one of the cabinet departments will likely get a name change.

He said, "We call it the Department of Defense, but between us, I think we’re gonna change the name. I think we’re gonna have some information on that maybe soon, because I think, you know, Department of Defense, we won the World War I, World War II."

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 25: U.S. President Donald Trump talks to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Furthering his federal takeover of the capital city’s law enforcement, Trump signed orders ending cashless bail in the District of Columbia, mandating prosecution for people who desecrate the American flag -- including by burning it -- and other orders. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump talks to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025, in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

"It was called the Department of War. And to me, that’s really what it is. Defense is a part of that. But I have a feeling we’re gonna be changing," Trump added. "Defense’ is too defensive. We want to be defensive, but we want to be offensive, too if we have to be."

Moreover, the president added that the "change will probably be made over the next week or so."

Meanwhile, NewsNation reporter Kellie Meyer asked Trump, "And on the Department of War, how do you plan to do that? It requires an act of Congress to rename the Defense Department."

Trump interjected, "We’re just gonna do it."

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the jobs report from the Oval Office at the White House on March 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. The U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate rising slightly to 4.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the jobs report from the Oval Office at the White House on March 07, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

He then added, "I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that. I don’t think we even need that. But if we need that, I’m sure Congress will go along. You know, that was a name when we won World War I. We won World War II. We won everything, and just to me, seems like just a much more appropriate name."

Internet divided over Donald Trump's statement

People online remained divided, offering mixed reactions after Donald Trump announced plans to rename the Department of Defense and claimed that if legislative approval is needed, "Congress will go along" with it.

A user wrote on X, "I mean Don has never been one to take no for an answer sadly," while one added, "A President who thinks congress will just “go along” is a President that is not planning to leave office if he has the congress he wants."



 



 

A person also stated, "Of course they will. They do anything he tell them to," whereas one mentioned, "The unspoken end of that sentence is: "Or else!""



 



 

Meanwhile, a user also wrote, "I see no problem," while one commented, "Defense does seem to lean heavily on being defensive."



 



 

Another person added, "He’s not lying. He has the ultimate team on this second term. Everybody fearful."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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