Dept. Of Defense vs. War Department
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Thoughts?
(for me, not a big deal.)
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Not sure if someone consulted DOGE. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/04/white-house-pentagon-department-of-war-00545673 ... the rebranding may cost billions of dollars.
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WaPo' Editorial Board defends the War Department name change: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/09/05/war-department-defense-trump-rebrand/ ... the main thrust of their argument seems to be that the new name will induce a much needed national introspection on what we really want our military to do (e.g., focusing on fighting wars instead of nation building overseas or policing at home a la D.C.).
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I’ve long thought it curious, and believe have posted about it here years ago, that back when our military was used primarily for defense we called it the department of war, and right when we became the global hegemonic power and started using it for war, we changed it to the department of defense.
There’s a sense in which I’m indifferent but I would suspect there are better uses for the billion+ the rebranding will cost.
Also I was under the impression that Congress renamed it. Insofar as this is a further emasculation of article I, I would be against it.
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I'm pretty indifferent, I kind of like the War name only from a "let's go play war in the backyard" kid perspective. Either way, saying "DOD" is so common, especially in the Northern Virginia area it would be weird to start hearing DOW.
@89th said in Dept. Of Defense vs. War Department:
… in the Northern Virginia area it would be weird to start hearing DOW.
Potential confusion with Dow Chemical, the Dow Jones industrial average, or (for some states) the Department of Workforce Development (i.e., Labor), I suppose.
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Honestly, don't we have something better to do? The only possible benefit I can see is sending a message to potential adversaries about the footing we see ourselves on. It's very similar to the NG in DC but is unlikely to have as much practical effect.
It rather reminds me of the Ohio legislature passing a bill outlawing declawing cats. I support that bill for the most part, but we have huge school funding problems that have been languishing for a couple decades now.
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With the Trump tariff regime in place Uncle Sam is raking in billions of dollars. Just as well waste some of that chump change on diversions and frivolous redecorating projects such as renaming government departments.
Bill Maher’s take:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=762179939877021&surface_type=vod&referral_source=vod_newsfeed_unit
