White House defends 'aptly named' Department of War as watchdog flags up to $125M cost

The White House stood by its decision to change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War on Thursday — even as watchdogs warn the change could cost taxpayers as much as $125 million.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a congressional research agency, the costs come primarily from the manpower the change would require.

"Broadly, the costs would include staff time spent updating document templates, revising websites or modifying letterhead," the CBO’s report said.