Pentagon seeks to codify Department of War title as renaming costs total $50M
The Pentagon is seeking to officially rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, estimating the cost of this change at around $50 million. This proposal follows an executive order from President Trump and would involve significant updates to federal law. Critics, including Senate Democrats, have raised concerns about the financial implications and the prioritization of this renaming over essential national security functions.
- ▪The Pentagon's proposal to rename the Department of Defense is estimated to cost about $50 million.
- ▪The Congressional Budget Office has projected that the total cost could exceed $125 million depending on the implementation scope.
- ▪Senate Democrats have criticized the renaming as wasteful and a distraction from core national security responsibilities.
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth finishes the installation of a Department of War plaque at the River Entrance in front of the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Nov. 13, 2025. (Madelyn Keech/Defense Department) WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is asking Congress to codify the Department of War name. A Defense Department legislative proposal sent to Capitol Hill this month estimates the name change to date has cost about $50 million, and the proposal would make roughly 7,600 conforming changes to federal law. Costs are being collected and will be available after the fiscal year 2026 is completed. “The revision to the designation of the Department serves as a fundamental reminder of the importance and reverence of our core mission, to fight and win wars,” the proposal reads.
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