The new "Department of War" logo is displayed at the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C., on September 19, 2025. The name change is not official; only Congress can change a department name.

“War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength.”

At times, it feels we are living in George Orwell’s “1984.” Words have increasingly taken on different meanings. Nothing seems to mean what, historically, it has meant. “Democracy,” for example. Or “integrity.” Or “truth.”

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Still, the recent proposed name change of the Department of Defense to the Department of War is intended, the Trump administration has argued, to reflect more accurately its mission. Secretary Pete Hegseth said the change was necessary because “ultimately, its job is to conduct war.”

Why stop there? Other departments could also use new names to better reflect their current missions. An expanded list might include:

Department of Commerce — the Department........

© Times Union