Who holds the position of Secretary of War?

The current Secretary of War position is actually not actively used; it was renamed the Secretary of Defense after World War II. The position of Secretary of Defense is held by Lloyd Austin, making him the appropriate answer regarding the modern equivalent. Throughout the history of the United States, the role of Secretary of War has transitioned to focus on broader defense responsibilities under the Secretary of Defense title.

Although individuals like Robert Gates and Jack Reed have held important positions related to defense, they do not currently hold the position that equates to the historical Secretary of War. Pete Hegseth is known for his media career and association with veterans' issues, but he has never served in the role of Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense.