CBO Estimates Trump's War Department Name Change Could Cost Up to $125 Million

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Washington, D.C., January 15, 2026: Former President Donald Trump’s intention to rename the Pentagon as the “Department of War” could impose costs on U.S. taxpayers between $10 million to over $125 million, as stated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

This broad cost spectrum stems from uncertainties regarding the Pentagon's execution of Trump’s executive order from September 2025, which he claimed would reflect the nation’s readiness to engage in warfare at any time.

According to CBO, the Pentagon's comptroller has already spent approximately $1.9 million over a 30-day span on items such as flags, plaques, and updated training materials. This preliminary figure does not account for other offices, indicating that actual expenditures might be considerably higher.

As Congress must sanction official titles for departments, “Department of War” remains a secondary designation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has shown support for this name change as part of a broader militaristic ethos, although no formal legislation advocating for this change has been introduced.

The CBO's analysis suggests that a limited implementation primarily in Hegseth's office could incur around $10 million in administrative expenses like updating letterheads, websites, and ceremonial items. In contrast, a comprehensive department-wide implementation may push costs beyond $125 million, depending on the pace of rollout.

The lack of detailed plans from the Pentagon contributes to this uncertainty, as noted by CBO Director Phillip Swagel when discussing with Democratic senators. Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon criticized the initiative, labeling it a “vanity project” that fails to enhance national security or support military families.

The CBO's estimates take into account previous renaming efforts, such as the Biden administration’s action to eliminate Confederate-related names from Army installations, which cost around $5 million per base—significantly higher than initial predictions. CBO cautioned that should Congress officially rename the department, costs could escalate dramatically, potentially reaching several hundred million dollars.