8 months ago
Trump's War Department Name Change
President Trump has suggested changing the name of the Department of Defense back to the Department of War.
This change could cost between a few million dollars and over $125 million, depending on how quickly and widely the change is made.
The Pentagon has already spent about $1.9 million on things like new flags and training materials.
Some people, like Senator Jeff Merkley, think this is a waste of money and doesn't help national security.
The Pentagon hasn't said much about how they plan to make this change, which makes it hard to know the exact cost.
In the past, similar changes, like renaming Army bases, cost more than expected.
President Trump's executive order to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War could cost between $1.9 million and $125 million.
The Pentagon has already spent $1.9 million on initial changes like flags and training materials.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supports the name change as part of a 'fight-to-win' ethos.
Congress has not yet been formally proposed to change the name, so the 'War Department' would be a secondary name.
Senator Jeff Merkley criticizes the potential cost, calling it a 'vanity project' that doesn't help national security.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CBO Director Phillip Swagel, Senator Jeff Merkley
- What
- Potential renaming of the Department of Defense to the Department of War
- Where
- United States
- When
- Executive order issued in September 2025
- Why
- To demonstrate the nation's willingness to fight and win wars
Key facts
- Cost Range
- $1.9 million to $125 million
- Executive Order Date
- September 2025
- Pentagon Spending Report
- $1.9 million spent in 30 days
- Modest Implementation Cost
- $10 million
- Broad Implementation Cost
- Above $125 million
- Congressional Involvement
- Not yet proposed
- Past Renaming Example
- Biden administration's Army base renaming cost $39 million
Quotes
Donald Trump
President of the United States
“the switch was intended to signal to the world that the US was a force to be reckoned with”
telegraphindia.com
“the Department of Defense's name was 'woke'”
telegraphindia.com
Congressional Budget Office report
Non-partisan federal agency providing budget analysis
“A statutory renaming could cost hundreds of millions of dollars”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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