Changing Defense Department's name to Department of War could cost up to $125 million, CBO estimates [View all]
Source: CBS News
Updated on: January 14, 2026 / 4:58 PM EST
The Trump administration's push to change the Defense Department's name to the Department of War could cost nine figures, according to a new estimate by Congress' budget watchdog.
President Trump signed an executive order last September to start the process of renaming the federal government's largest employer. The agency now refers to itself as the Department of War on its website and in many official communications, though the agency is still formally called the Department of Defense under federal law.
The cost of the renaming effort could range from $10 million to $125 million, depending on how broadly it is applied, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday following a request from Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The total price tag could vary depending on how broadly the agency decides to apply the new name and how rapidly the renaming is rolled out, the office said in an 11-page report.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/changing-defense-department-name-department-of-war-could-cost-up-to-125-million-dollars-cbo/
Link to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) REPORT - https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-01/61942-DoD-Name-Change.pdf
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