Pete Hegseth Promises the U.S. Military Will Now Embrace ‘Maximum Lethality, Not Tepid Legality’

Kathryn Wilkens Sep 5th, 2025, 5:04 pm

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that the U.S. military will now embrace “maximum lethality, not tepid legality,” as President Donald Trump signed an executive order reverting the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.

“This name change is not just about renaming,” said Hegseth in front of reporters at the Oval Office, but rather “restoring the warrior ethos.” Notably, the Department of War was the official name for the DOD from 1789 to 1947.

“We are gonna go on offense, not just on defense,” Hegseth continued. “Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct. We’re gonna raise up w

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