DICKtator Cannot Legally Change DoD to the DoW (Department of War). [View all]

In the United States, a president cannot unilaterally change the name of a government agency.

Here’s how it works:

1. Agencies Created by Congress

Most federal agencies are created by statute (law passed by Congress).

Their names are written into those laws.

To change such an agency’s name, Congress must pass new legislation, and the president would then sign it into law.

Example: The War Department became the Department of Defense in 1949 through the National Security Act Amendments passed by Congress.



2. Agencies Created by Executive Authority

Some offices, commissions, or task forces are established by executive order or by reorganization authority delegated by Congress.

In those cases, the president (or the Office of Management and Budget under presidential direction) can rename, reorganize, or even abolish them by issuing a new executive order.

Example: Presidents often rename or restructure White House offices (e.g., "Office of Public Liaison" becoming the "Office of Public Engagement&quot .



3. Practical Limits

Even when possible, changing an agency’s name affects statutes, regulations, appropriations, and contracts, so Congress almost always needs to be involved for major departments and agencies.

Symbolic or cosmetic name changes can sometimes be done at the executive level, but full legal recognition and funding alignment require congressional action.
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Major departments (e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy): ONLY Congress can legally change their names.
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Symantics, History, Intent and the Constitution:

Constitution (1787): “Provide for the common defense” = collective security, protection, not standing war.

Department of War (1789): Congress created it to manage the Army; “war” was then the common term for military affairs.

Department of Defense (1947–49): After WWII, the War and Navy Departments merged; renamed “Defense” to stress deterrence and protection in the nuclear/Cold War era.

So: constitutional defense → administrative War Dept. → Cold War “Defense” Dept.