WASHINGTON D.C. — The push to rename the Department of Defense the 'Department of War' is projected to cost taxpayers between $10 million and $125 million, according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). This initial figure, focused on immediate rebranding efforts like signage and stationery, could balloon to hundreds of millions if the change becomes the department's official legal designation, requiring extensive legislative action.
The rebrand, championed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has already seen the 'Department of War' moniker used on official correspondence, public communications, and even prominently displayed on new signage at the Pentagon entrance, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in September 2025. Trump asserted the original name, 'Defense,' was "too politically correct," favoring the historical resonance of 'War.'
The executive order mandated Hegseth to recommend actions for a permanent name change. While Republican senators, including Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Marsha Blackburn, introduced legislation to formalize the shift, these efforts have stalled in Congress. The CBO's warning highlights that the total expense is contingent on the pace and scope of the rollout; an "aggressive" implementation, involving immediate replacement of all marked materials, would incur higher costs than a gradual depletion of existing stock.
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Financial Shadows and Historical Echoes
Beyond the immediate visual and administrative updates, the financial implications extend to a potential diversion of funds from existing projects and missions. The CBO noted that expenses for signage or ceremonial items could diminish resources allocated for planned activities. A preliminary report indicated that five Pentagon offices spent $1.9 million over a 30-day period on revised materials, including flags, plaques, and training documents, suggesting the $125 million ceiling might not encompass all expenditures.
The renaming initiative is framed by Secretary Hegseth as part of a broader strategic repositioning of the agency. This has involved an intensified focus on the physical readiness and outward projection of service members, messaging emphasizing troop lethality and strength, and the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
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The historical precedent for the 'Department of War' dates back to the nation's founding. President George Washington originally established the Army under this name. The entity was later renamed the National Military Establishment in 1947 by President Harry Truman, merging the War and Navy departments with the newly formed Air Force. Two years later, it became the Department of Defense, its legal designation ever since. The current push seeks to reinstate the 'Department of War' name, albeit with a staggered approach to implementation depending on urgency and available budgets.
