Pentagon officials outraged by Trump's controversial Department of War rebranding - Politico

According to Politico sources, many Pentagon officials "expressed frustration, anger, and downright confusion" over the new order. They believe the changes will do little to address the military's urgent problems.

Officials will likely have to update the department’s seals on more than 700,000 facilities across 40 countries and all 50 states. Everything will be affected — employee uniforms, official letterheads, souvenirs in the Pentagon store, and even cafeteria napkins.

A former Department of Defense official said implementing the order will cost millions of dollars. He added that the change will not solve the military's real challenges.

"Worse, it will be used by our enemies to portray the United States as warmongering and a threat to international stability," he said.

A Defense Department official, who asked to be referred to as a "Department of War" official, said the costs of executing the president's order will evolve as the implementation progresses.

Background

On September 5, President Donald Trump signed an executive order restoring the Department of War. The order is expected to require all executive departments and agencies to recognize and use the new name in internal and external communications.

Trump supporters say the move will enable the military to position itself more effectively and could become a symbol of America's "new strength." Until 1947, the US military department was indeed called the Department of War.

Opponents, however, warned that the renaming will only reinforce the United States's aggressive image and could strain relations with both allies and adversaries.