Trump Restores Department of War Name Amid Military Policy Shift

In September 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the U.S. Department of Defense as the Department of War, aiming to send a 'message of victory' and signal U.S. readiness to defend its interests militarily. This move drew significant international attention and criticism, with surveys showing widespread global perception of the U.S. as highly militaristic and a destabilizing force in world peace. Critics argue that the renaming undermines decades of strategic restraint and diplomacy, potentially damaging trust with allies and feeding adversarial propaganda that portrays the U.S. as driven by aggressive appetite rather than law and restraint. Alongside this, the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) advanced in Congress under Trump's agenda, focusing on eliminating diversity and equity programs in the military, redirecting funds towards combat readiness, and enhancing border security and counter-narcotics efforts. The NDAA reflects Trump's broader 'Peace Through Strength' policy, emphasizing merit-based military promotions and significant investment in defense capabilities. These developments collectively highlight a shift towards a more assertive and militarized U.S. defense posture under President Trump's administration.