Democratic senators, led by Jeff Merkley, have written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to stop plans for a special edition U.S. passport featuring Donald Trump's image. They argue it politicizes a national milestone and risks taxpayer cost.
The White House confirmed limited passports featuring President Trump's portrait will be released for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The commemorative passports, showing Trump surrounded by Declaration text, the American flag, and his gold signature, will be available to any American citizen at the Washington Passport Agency. This is the latest administration effort to associate Trump's name and likeness with government programmes, following a commemorative gold coin and plans for a 'Trump-Kennedy Center' and 'Arc de Trump'.
Reports emerged that the US State Department is working on a limited edition passport featuring Trump's image on the inside cover, using his second inaugural portrait placed over the Declaration of Independence with his signature in gold. If approved, it would mark the first time a sitting US president's image appears in a passport, breaking decades of global tradition. Only 25,000 copies are planned as part of celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi criticized the move as absurd, stating documents should represent the American people, not one man's megalomania.
