Trump’s “Department of War” Is Not Strength, It’s Delusion

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks during a War Department address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sept. 30, 2025.

Under Trump, America has officially redefined peace as “woke” and war as virtue. At Quantico, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, repeating Trump’s militaristic obsession, pronounced the “Department of Defense” dead, long live the “Department of War”. This isn't merely a tough talk, it's propaganda.

Hegseth dismissed inclusion, ridiculed diversity, and told those who disagree that they should just leave. Trump enthusiastically supported such venom, boasting that he had fired generals who didn’t follow him as a commander in chief. The solution to Bob and my city's challenges around inequality? Send in the proximity of the military for “training”.

This isn't about standing up security; it's about standing up a culturally purge for loyalty above competence and conformity above thought. You'll see some talk of strength, but it's really strength thanks to fear: the fear of differences, the fear of equality, the fear of all that does not worship his notion of "masculine" power.

In the meantime, the country is shutting down. Healthcare policy hangs in the balance. Budget orientation talks are dead. But let's get ready for war with Iran and patrol Portland like it's Fallujah.

Trump wants a legacy of dominance rather than peace and instead of utilizing the military, he'd like to borrow the military for political theater. And if you're not a believer in his war-oriented, fetish fantasy? You're "woke", which is, apparently the enemy.

This is not leadership, it's authoritarianism.