Making war a national goal

While almost every cabinet level department is named after a positive goal,  such as the environment or justice, an exception is the Trump regime's use of the term "Department of War." Are we expected to seek war the way we seek fair laws or a cleaner environment? 

On September 5, 2025, President Trump introduced “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Department of Defense in an executive order. Is the "Department of War” the new department name?

Yes and no: the DOD can use “Department of War” as a secondary title, but Congress would need to pass legislation to officially change an agency’s name. And while an act formalizing the name change has been introduced to Congress, it hasn’t passed the House or the Senate. So it’s still officially the Department of Defense under the Federal Register and on USA.gov, but the DOD does refer to itself using the secondary title, the “Department of War.”

The DOD may use ‘Department of War’ informally, but changing its official name requires an act of Congress.  MORE