Renaming the US Department of Defense to the Department of War could cost Washington billions of dollars, though the changes would be purely “cosmetic“, Politico reports.
Many department officials have expressed disappointment and bewilderment over an executive order signed Friday by US President Donald Trump, the implementation of which “could cost billions of dollars in cosmetic changes that will do little to address the most pressing military problems“. “The move is purely for a domestic political audience. Not only will it cost millions of dollars, but it will have absolutely no impact on China or Russia's accounts. "Worse, our adversaries could use it to portray the United States as a warmonger and a threat to global stability," a former Pentagon official told the publication.
Officials will have to change the Pentagon's insignia on more than 700,000 Pentagon properties in 40 countries and all 50 U.S. states. This includes replacing the letterheads of the six branches of the military and the Pentagon’s subordinate agencies, as well as replacing “embossed napkins in the dining rooms, Senate-approved embroidery on employees’ jackets, and key chains and trinkets in the gift shop.”
The publication notes that officially renaming the department would likely require Congress to pass legislation. A source told Politico that the White House is looking at ways to implement the initiative without going through the legislature.