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Trump’s ‘Department of War’ may soon become official. What would that mean? | Normon Solomon

The Guardian UK Thursday 18 June 2026, 12:00 UTC By Normon Solomon 1 min read
Key Points

In US statecraft and warcraft, the president and Pete Hegseth are now saying previously quiet parts out loudThe Department of Defense will soon officially become the Department of War, if Republicans get their way. Key committees in the House and Senate have approved the name change, and Donald Trump is eager to sign it into law. The rebranding is candid and ominous, offering a future of heightened zeal for killing, maiming and destroying.

In US statecraft and warcraft, the president and Pete Hegseth are now saying previously quiet parts out loud

The Department of Defense will soon officially become the Department of War, if Republicans get their way. Key committees in the House and Senate have approved the name change, and Donald Trump is eager to sign it into law. The rebranding is candid and ominous, offering a future of heightened zeal for killing, maiming and destroying.

Christened in 1949, the Department of Defense unified the military branches with the Pentagon as their headquarters. Since then, presidents have routinely promoted each new war as vital for the defense of the United States and its values, a pretense that has pervaded mainstream media and political discourse.

Norman Solomon is an American journalist, media critic, left-leaning progressive activist, and former US Congress candidate

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Trump (ORG) ‘Department of War’ (ORG) Normon Solomon (PERSON) US (LOCATION) warcraft (ORG) Pete Hegseth (PERSON) loudThe Department of Defense (ORG) the Department of War (ORG) Republicans (ORG) House (ORG) Senate (ORG) Donald Trump (PERSON) the Department of Defense (ORG) Pentagon (ORG) the United States (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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