Proposed ‘Department of War’ Rebrand Could Cost Taxpayers Up to $125 Million, CBO Says

Renaming the Department of Defense to the “Department of War” could cost taxpayers up to $125 million, according to a new estimate from the Congressional Budget Office.

The estimate follows President Donald Trump’s executive order authorizing the use of the “Department of War” title in official communications and ceremonial settings. The CBO says the total cost would depend on how widely and quickly the Pentagon implements the change, with estimates ranging from $10 million to $125 million. If Congress were to formally change the department’s name in law, costs could climb into the hundreds of millions.

Most of the projected expenses would come from updating signage, letterhead, training materials, identification badges, and other branding across the department. The Defense Department has already updated its website, according to the CBO. The agency noted that faster implementation would significantly increase costs, especially if existing materials are replaced before current supplies run out.

In a report obtained by the CBO, five offices within the Pentagon spent nearly $1.9 million over a 30-day period on items such as flags, plaques, badges, and revised training materials tied to the rebrand.

The Defense Department declined to provide detailed implementation plans to the CBO, making the estimate uncertain. CNN has reached out to the Pentagon for further clarification.

The rebranding effort is part of a broader shift under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that includes changes to messaging, emphasis on troop readiness and appearance, and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Historically, the U.S. military was known as the Department of War until 1949, when President Harry Truman reorganized the armed forces and renamed it the Department of Defense. While Trump has suggested Congress may not need to approve the change, the executive order acknowledges legislative action would likely be required to make the new name permanent.

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