1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I write to express my strong disapproval of the decision to rebrand the Department of Defense as the “Department of War.” This change, driven more by political theater than strategic necessity, will require massive updates to signage, seals, digital infrastructure, documentation, and communications across the entire military apparatus—impacting hundreds of thousands of facilities and personnel. It’s a purely cosmetic move that does nothing to improve our national security, enhance readiness, or support the men and women in uniform. At a time when efficiency and fiscal responsibility should be guiding principles, this rebranding represents a clear waste of taxpayer money. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was created to root out inefficiency and eliminate unnecessary spending, has so far failed to live up to its mission. Rather than delivering measurable savings or reforms, DOGE has allowed performative, wasteful actions like this renaming to move forward unchecked. If DOGE cannot stop a costly, unnecessary initiative like this one—let alone provide the oversight and restraint taxpayers were promised—it raises serious concerns about the department’s purpose and effectiveness. Every dollar spent on repainting signs or updating letterhead is a dollar not spent on real defense priorities such as modernizing equipment, strengthening cybersecurity, improving infrastructure, or supporting military families. Furthermore, this move introduces confusion both internally and externally. Service members, civilian employees, and allied partners are left wondering about the purpose and implications of the name change. It sends the wrong message to the world and distracts from our actual defense goals. While some may view the term "War" as more direct or historically grounded, the Department of Defense was so named to reflect a broader mission—including deterrence, peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance. Ultimately, this rebrand is a political stunt masquerading as policy. It adds bureaucracy, sows confusion, and wastes money—all while DOGE stands idle. If this department truly exists to make government leaner and more effective, it should have intervened. Instead, we are footing the bill for signage and semantics while the core challenges facing our defense establishment remain unaddressed. I urge you to take action to halt this change and hold DOGE accountable for its inaction. Taxpayers deserve a government that spends wisely and prioritizes substance over symbolism.