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The deputy secretary of war is in charge of the War Department's day-to-day business. The primary responsibility is managing the defense budget and executing the war secretary's priorities.
The Honorable Steve Feinberg is the deputy secretary of war. He was sworn in on March 17, 2025, as the 36th deputy secretary of defense before the department's name was changed on Sept. 5, 2025. A graduate of Princeton University, Feinberg is a seasoned executive with extensive leadership experience who grew Cerberus Capital into a global investment firm with approximately $70 billion in assets.
Top civilian decision-makers work with the secretary to develop policy, operational and fiscal plans, manage resources and evaluate programs.