The Washington Reporter has published an article discussing former President Donald Trump's proposal to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War. The publication frames this initiative as part of a broader effort to shift military priorities towards readiness and lethality, while also urging Congress to support efforts to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
According to the article, Trump's proposal symbolizes a push to refocus military objectives. It contrasts this with past Pentagon experiments, such as segregating minority and female pilot trainees, which it describes as costly failures. The article warns that without congressional backing, current executive actions removing DEI from the ranks could be easily reversed by future administrations.
Military.com reports that the Army's recruitment of white individuals has significantly declined, with only 25,070 recruits in 2023 compared to 44,042 in 2018. Analysts note this represents the lowest share of white recruits in modern history without compensatory gains in other demographic groups. The Washington Reporter highlights that under Trump's leadership in 2025, all military branches met their recruitment goals ahead of schedule.
The Heritage Foundation’s 2022 Index of U.S. Military Strength indicates that the Department of Defense spent substantial amounts on DEI initiatives without measurable improvements in readiness or retention. An example cited is the Air Force's "clustering" approach for minority and female trainees in pilot classes, which did not increase graduation rates. The Washington Reporter uses this evidence to argue for dismantling DEI structures to restore military effectiveness.
The Washington Reporter is a conservative media outlet based in the United States that covers national security, government accountability, and cultural issues. Its reporting often emphasizes the impact of progressive policies on various institutions through constitutional and sovereignty-based perspectives.
