Trump’s ‘Department of War’ may soon become official. What would that mean? | Norman Solomon
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-06-18 07:00:00 — www.theguardian.com
Donald Trump Eager to Sign “Department of War” Rebranding, Marking Shift in U.S. Military Rhetoric
Donald Trump is reportedly eager to sign into law a controversial rebranding of the Department of Defense to the “Department of War,” following approvals from key House and Senate committees. This move signals a stark departure from decades of political messaging that has framed U.S. military actions as fundamentally defensive, and instead embraces a more candid—and ominous—approach to American militarism.
Trump’s Embrace of Militarism
Unlike his predecessors, Trump is described as openly enthusiastic about the violence of war. The excerpt notes that Trump, alongside defense secretary Pete Hegseth, is actively working to promote the idea that U.S. warfare is not only laudable but inevitable. Their rhetoric, described as “unabashed fervor for catastrophic violence,” is fueling the push to replace the word “defense” with “war” in the department’s name.
This shift is not just semantic. The new branding would undermine decades of what critics call deceptive marketing, which has portrayed U.S. military actions as motivated by noble intentions. By discarding the euphemism of “defense,” the Trump administration is making explicit what has often been implicit in U.S. foreign policy: a willingness to use overwhelming force and a pride in military might.
Fact-Checking the Rhetoric
The excerpt highlights that Trump and Hegseth are “now saying previously quiet parts out loud,” boasting that “might makes right” and that the United States is by far the mightiest nation. This rhetorical shift is paired with policy proposals, including a push for a 50% increase in the already massive military budget.
While the excerpt does not cite a specific false claim by Trump, it does attribute to him an open embrace of militarism and a willingness to dispense with the traditional “window-dressing” of peaceful intent. This stands in contrast to previous presidents, who have typically couched military actions in the language of peace and defense, even when engaging in wars of aggression.
Implications for U.S. Policy and Public Perception
The move to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War is described as a symptom of what Martin Luther King Jr. called “the madness of militarism.” Critics argue that this change will further normalize a culture of war and make it harder to maintain the illusion that U.S. military actions are always justified by higher ideals.
The Trump administration’s approach, according to the excerpt, tweaks the business-as-usual of the military-industrial complex by stripping away the rhetorical restraint that has long accompanied U.S. military policy. This has unsettled many observers, who find the administration’s verbal recklessness and bellicose posture to be deeply disquieting.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s eagerness to sign the “Department of War” rebranding into law marks a significant shift in how the U.S. government presents its military actions to the public and the world. By abandoning the language of defense and embracing a more aggressive stance, Trump is redefining the narrative around American power—one that critics warn could have far-reaching consequences for both U.S. foreign policy and global perceptions of American intent.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/18/trump-department-of-war-defense