Merkley Leads Senators in Demanding CBO Probe Trump’s Wasteful Use of Taxpayer Dollars in Renaming Department of Defense

Merkley Leads Senators in Demanding CBO Probe Trump's Wasteful Use of Taxpayer Dollars in Renaming Department of Defense

Without Action from Congress, Trump's Move to Rename Department of Defense is Unofficial

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, led nine of his Senate colleagues in calling on the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to probe the cost of President Donald Trump's recent executive order renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War. The lawmakers requested this analysis because without action by Congress to pass legislation to legally rename the Department of Defense, the president's executive order will be an unofficial designation for the department which will cause confusion, redundancy, and waste taxpayer dollars.

"Given the Trump administration's repeated emphasis on fiscal restraint-particularly its aggressive use of illegal impoundments and now, unconstitutional pocket rescissions-this symbolic renaming is both wasteful and hypocritical. It appears to prioritize political theater over responsible governance, while diverting resources from core national security functions," the Senators wrote.

In addition to Merkley, U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) signed the letter.

The full letter is HERE or below.

Dr. Swagel:

We are writing to request a formal cost assessment of the recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump on September 5, 2025, titled "Restoring the United States Department of War." This directive authorizes the Department of Defense to adopt the secondary title "Department of War" in official correspondence, ceremonial contexts, and internal communications, despite the fact that the statutory name remains unchanged.

As you are aware, only an act of Congress can legally rename a federal department. The Trump administration's unilateral move to introduce a parallel, unofficial designation for the department risks confusion, redundancy, and unnecessary cost expenditure.

Given the Trump administration's repeated emphasis on fiscal restraint-particularly its aggressive use of illegal impoundments and now, unconstitutional pocket rescissions-this symbolic renaming is both wasteful and hypocritical. It appears to prioritize political theater over responsible governance, while diverting resources from core national security functions.

We respectfully request that CBO assess the projected costs associated with implementing this executive order, including but not limited to:

1. Administrative and personnel costs for updating titles, forms, and communications,
2. Procurement costs for signage, branding, and ceremonial materials,
3. Interagency coordination and compliance costs,
4. Website redesign and digital infrastructure updates, and
5. Any other anticipated downstream costs.

This analysis will help Congress evaluate the fiscal implications of symbolic executive actions and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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