President Trump’s executive order to rebrand the Department of Defense with the secondary title “Department of War” is more than symbolic—it’s a troubling shift in the tone and purpose of U.S. military policy.

This rebrand glorifies conflict, undermines decades of diplomatic progress, and revives a name last used in an era before the U.S. had a permanent Department of Defense or a global network of alliances.

By insisting that “Department of War” better reflects strength and victory, the administration is embracing a worldview rooted in aggression—not strategy, not security, and certainly not peace. America’s greatest power has never come from how many wars we can win, but from how often we can avoid them through strong diplomacy, international cooperation, and a steadfast commitment to human rights.

There is a reason President Truman changed the name to the Department of Defense in 1949—it was an intentional move away from the war-first mindset that had dominated global politics for centuries. That decision reflected a belief that America could lead not just by might, but by example. Reintroducing the “Department of War” sends a dangerous message: that the U.S. sees violence not as a last resort, but as a central feature of its identity.

This petition calls on members of Congress—especially those on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees—to reject any effort to make this name change permanent.

Congress must assert its authority and ensure that the direction of our national security policy remains grounded in caution, restraint, and a deep respect for the costs of war.

Words matter. Titles matter. And how we talk about our military reflects what we believe it’s for. If you believe America should be a force for peace, not a nation itching for conflict, please sign this petition.