[September 6, 2025] President Donald Trump has issued an Executive Order renaming the Department of Defense to what he believes is a stronger name, the Department of War. He thinks the word “Defense” is misleading and associated with a history of American military failures.
“I don’t want to be defense only. We want offense too.” –President Donald J. Trump
There are three significant reasons that the President might want to make this change.
The first reason for such a change is that he believes the military is still struggling with political correctness, and he aims to fix that problem. The message becomes clear for the bureaucratic-bound, stagnant senior uniformed leaders. The SECDEF Pete Hegseth agrees and has been pushing for a warrior ethos to strengthen our military readiness, a commendable goal.
Second, the name change baits his political enemies by forcing them to focus on the change and distracting them from more important issues. I have long believed this is not a good strategy for Trump, but I am probably wrong. Poking your opponent in the chest will guarantee a nasty but unpredictable reaction. Trump has better political instincts than he is given credit for, and one of those skills is getting Democrats to self-destruct.
And third, there is a message to America’s enemies: China, North Korea, Russia, and perhaps India. America is back. And we are a military powerhouse not to be challenged. Trump is saying, “Don’t mess with America, or you will pay a heavy price.” That is a message all countries should strive to achieve. Few can walk the talk. Trump can do the walk.
Over the past few days, I had the chance to ask Veterans what they thought of the proposed change. Nearly all said they agreed with the reasoning that I proposed above, but not all liked the change. “Why change?” was a common question. Many didn’t care one way or another. From this perspective, I can say most Veterans don’t care.
To make the name change permanent, Trump will need the approval of Congress. That is another issue and will be a fight for another day.
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Gen. Satterfield, thanks for giving us some of the reasons that Pres. Trump wants to change the name but I don’t think it is as complicated as we might think. Changing the name to the Dept of War is another way he is striking at the Deep State and he is doing a great job because the Deep State is fully corrupted and needs to be desolved in every aspect.
Great article, great comments. Good read today. God Bless America.
+++++++ GOD Bless America +++++++
Got it right, NY Yankee Fan
One would think this was common sense. Thank you! I love this website. Read Gen. Satterfield’s book “55 rules for a good life” and have a good life. Ed, you’re absolutely correct, ++ God Bless America ++ the land of the free and truth tellers. We don’t like no communists (LOL).
By renaming the Dept of Defense to the Department of War, i think it sends a message also to our youth. It says, hey, do you want to be part of a dynamic machine that has one single purpose? To fight and defend the United States of America. If you do, join up and we will make you more than you could eve be. That’s an attractive message. No surprise that recruiting has gone thru the roof. Unlike the Biden Obama terrible days for our military, we now have a resurgence of patriotism and we deserve it.
Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump have made some serious headway in turning around the Dept of Defense. Plus, the Dept of Army, Navy, and AF have been looked at close enough to know who the gerbils are that are DEI’ing up the works and are on the path to firing them outright. it turns out that most of those who are against streamlining and creating a better DoD are civilians who work there. Paint me shocked. This is what happens whne you have an unaccountable work force who doesn’t actually work but are paid protestors who stand against America. Fire them now and let God sort them out.
Boy Sue, yep, you’re all over it. Those “civilians” are creating havoc because they do not do their job of ensuring a group of folks with institutional knowledge. They fail to give the military commanders what they need and most of these commanders don’t have time to rock the boat and have these civilians kicked out. It’s an epidemic of incompetence coming into play and nothing is being done.
You got that right Wild Bill. I have a cousin who is a Department of the Army Civilian (DAC) and he tells me all the time about the stupidty that goes on there.
I heard the same. Why are they such a problem? Seems everyone I talk to says the same. Maybe there is a solution and his name is President Trump.
GREAT NEWS
President Donald J. Trump is the greatest president in a century. On top of that, he’s driving the anti-American Democrats crazy.
I understand completely, Sir. Good comment.
“Second, the name change baits his political enemies by forcing them to focus on the change and distracting them from more important issues. I have long believed this is not a good strategy for Trump, but I am probably wrong. Poking your opponent in the chest will guarantee a nasty but unpredictable reaction. Trump has better political instincts than he is given credit for, and one of those skills is getting Democrats to self-destruct.” — Gen. Doug Satterfield
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Great comment that shows Gen. Satterfield is on top of this issue.
Uh, yeah! Of course.
America is back, baby! And the traitorous Leftists are self destructing and this is a glorious moment. All they have left in their commie playbook are lies upon lies. Never vote for a commie.