The House Armed Services Committee voted to change the name of the Department of Defense to the "Department of War" this week [1].

The move seeks to codify a preference held by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, signaling a shift in how the U.S. military identifies its primary administrative body.

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) introduced the name change as an amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) [2]. The GOP-majority members of the committee approved the measure in a 44-12 vote [3].

The renaming comes as part of a broader legislative package that establishes the military's budget for the coming year. While some reports indicate the NDAA authorizes spending at $1 trillion [4], other figures place the authorized spending level at $1.15 trillion [5].

Secretary Hegseth and President Trump said the rebranding is a policy priority. The committee's decision ensures that the name change is formally embedded within the legislative framework of the NDAA rather than remaining a departmental preference.

The Department of War was the original name of the U.S. military's executive arm before it was reorganized into the National Military Establishment in 1947 and later renamed the Department of Defense in 1949. The current effort to revert to the previous title reflects the priorities of the current administration's leadership [1].

The amendment now moves forward as part of the larger defense bill, which governs the funding and operation of the U.S. armed forces [2].

“The House Armed Services Committee voted to change the name of the Department of Defense to the "Department of War".”

The transition from 'Defense' to 'War' represents a symbolic shift in military philosophy, moving away from a posture of deterrence and toward an explicit focus on combat operations. By codifying this change in the NDAA, the administration ensures the rebranding survives beyond a simple executive order, institutionalizing the shift in the Pentagon's identity.