Why Is Trump Changing the Department of Defense to Department of War?

The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday is the department name for the military forces. The constitutional authority for the military is in Article I, Section 8, Clause 16, which reads as follows:

[The Congress shall have Power …] To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; … 

In the early years of the history of the United States, the “militia” was like the National Guard today, and the several militias made up the Continental Army that fought under the leadership of General George Washington to win the Revolutionary War.

The Department of Defense is comprised of three military divisions: Army, Navy, and Air Force. The birthday for the U.S. Army is June 14, 1775, which marks the date that the Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of riflemen to serve the American colonies.

The Continental Navy was officially established later in the same year – October 13, 1775 – when the Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Continental Army. On this date, the Continental Navy began as a distinct maritime fighting force, which later became the modern U.S. Navy. The Marine Corps was established November 10, 1775, as part of the Navy/

The U.S. Air Force began as the air arm of the U.S. Army. It began on August 1, 1907, when the Army established its Aeronautical Division to manage military balloons and other types of flying machines. It later became known as the Air Corps. The U.S. Air Force was created as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947.

All the branches of the military operated under the direction of the Department of War, later changed to Department of Defense, and now to be changed back to Department of War.

Last week President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order to change the name of the military department from Department of Defense to the Department of War. The change of names took place on the buildings on the same day as the executive order. Other changes, such as stationery, will take place as time passes. Congress must act to make the name change lasting. 

Trump wants the name change because he wants the United States to win wars and not just “defend” our nation. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) supports Trump’s push to rename the Department of Defense and is drafting a bill to restore the original name of Department of War.