Sens. Rick Scott and Mike Lee and Rep. Greg Steube introduced legislation Friday to restore the Department of Defense’s original name, the Department of War, as President Trump prepares to sign an executive order calling for the change.

The War Department was created in 1789 and remained that until the Truman administration combined the Army, Navy and Air Force and Navy into the Department of Defense in 1949.

Mr. Trump said last month he wanted to restore the War Department name because it “just sounded better” and reflects that the military can go on offense, not just defense. 

“As Department of War, we won everything,” he said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also championed the name change. It requires an act of Congress to formalize, although Mr. Trump’s executive order will let the Pentagon use the Department of War branding in some capacities. 

The lawmakers who introduced the name-change legislation agreed with Mr. Trump that the U.S. military is not purely a defensive force.

“We are the most lethal fighting force on the face of the planet — ready to defeat any enemy when called upon,” Mr. Scott, Florida Republican, said. “Restoring the name to Department of War reflects our true purpose: to dominate wars, not merely respond after being provoked.”

“It should always be clear to anyone who would harm our people: Americans don’t just play defense,” added Mr. Lee, Utah Republican. 

Mr. Lee and Mr. Steube, Florida Republican, said the name change would honor the first 150 years of the military’s history in which the U.S. participated in multiple wars.

“From 1789 until the end of World War II, the United States military fought under the banner of the Department of War,” Mr. Steube said. “Thanks to their courage and sacrifice, the standard of excellence was established for all service members who followed in their footsteps.”

• Mallory Wilson contributed to this report. 

• Lindsey McPherson can be reached at lmcpherson@washingtontimes.com.