An ambitious plan to rebrand the US Department of Defense as the 'Department of War' could impose a staggering financial burden of up to $125 million on American taxpayers, according to a new official analysis. The move, initiated by former President Donald Trump via an executive order in September 2025, has sparked a political and fiscal debate in Washington DC.
The Executive Order and Immediate Actions
On 5 September 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order authorising the use of 'Department of War' as a secondary title for the Pentagon. He argued the change was necessary to signal the United States was a formidable global force, criticising the existing 'Department of Defense' name as being 'woke'.
The order coincided with a period of heightened military activity, including airstrikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in South America and the capture of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth embraced the directive with visible speed. Workers were photographed removing the gold 'Secretary of Defense' lettering outside his office, replacing it with a new 'Secretary of War' sign. Simultaneously, the Pentagon's official website switched from defence.gov to war.gov.
The Congressional Budget Office's Financial Warning
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its assessment on Wednesday, outlining the potential costs. The analysis states that a minimal, phased implementation could cost a few million dollars, likely absorbed within existing Pentagon budgets. However, a broad and rapid rollout across the entire department—which encompasses over 6.5 million square feet of office space and countless global facilities—could see costs balloon to approximately $125 million.
The report clarifies that a 'modest implementation' confined to the agency itself might cost around $10 million. However, it warns that a statutory renaming officially approved by Congress could reach 'hundreds of millions of dollars', depending on the scope. Pentagon officials had previously declined to provide an estimate, citing fluctuating costs.
Political Hurdles and Legislative Stalemate
Despite the executive order, Congress holds the ultimate authority to formally rename a federal department and has shown little appetite for the proposal. While Republican senators including Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Marsha Blackburn introduced legislation to make the change official, the measure has stalled.
The analysis was requested by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Jeff Merkley, highlighting the partisan divide on the issue. The order tasked Secretary Hegseth with recommending actions for a permanent change, but Pentagon officials have not disclosed what, if any, recommendations were made.
With the future of the renaming effort uncertain and a hefty price tag now attached, the proposal for a 'Department of War' faces significant practical and political obstacles before becoming a reality.
