Renaming the Department of Defense the ‘Department of War’ could cost up to $125 million
January 14, 2026
A new Congressional Budget Office analysis says renaming the Department of Defense the Department of War could cost taxpayers up to $125 million. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in September that authorized the Department of War as a secondary title for the Pentagon. Congress has to formally approve a new name for the department and it has shown no serious interest in doing so. The budget office report released Wednesday estimates a modest implementation could cost about $10 million. However, a broad and rapid change could reach $125 million. The analysis was requested by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley.