Senators: Trump’s Face Doesn’t Belong on US Passports

A New Controversy: Trump Image on U.S. Passports

In late April, a new controversy emerged as the U.S. State Department announced plans to issue a limited-edition United States passport featuring an image of former President Donald Trump. The decision, made under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has sparked significant backlash from Senate Democrats, who have criticized the move as inappropriate and politically motivated.

A group of Democratic senators, led by Oregon’s Jeff Merkley, expressed their concerns in a letter sent to Rubio. Other signatories included Nevada’s Jacky Rosen, Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen, and Virginia’s Tim Kaine. Additionally, independent centrist Senator Angus King of Maine joined the effort, despite not being a Democrat. King, like Vermont’s Bernie Sanders, caucuses with Democrats and has shown support for the party’s agenda.

The senators argued that the U.S. passport should not feature an image of a sitting president. They stated, “The U.S. passport has never — and should not now — feature an image of a sitting U.S. president. We ask you to halt these plans given the anti-democratic impact this decision will have.”

This proposal comes amid a broader trend of Trump leveraging his public image for various initiatives. According to reports, Trump has been actively promoting his likeness on multiple platforms. For instance, his image appears on the 2026 America the Beautiful National Parks annual pass and will be featured on a 250th anniversary gold coin. There are also ongoing efforts to include his face on a special edition $1 coin.

Moreover, Trump’s signature is set to appear on dollar bills for the first time in U.S. history, marking a significant shift in how a sitting president is represented on currency. Federal departments across Washington, including Agriculture, Justice, and Labor, have also displayed banners featuring Trump’s likeness.

Political Pushes and Public Backlash

The push to elevate Trump’s profile extends beyond official government channels. GOP lawmakers have introduced legislation to place his image on Mount Rushmore, rename Dulles International Airport in his honor, and declare his birthday a national holiday. Additionally, Trump is advocating for a 250-foot ‘triumphal arch’ near Arlington National Cemetery and a $40 million ‘statue garden’ of ‘American heroes’ near the National Mall.

These proposals coincide with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, which will be celebrated on July 4. This milestone marks the day in 1776 when the Founding Fathers officially declared American independence from Great Britain. However, Trump is using this occasion to promote himself, leading to increased scrutiny from Democrats.

In their letter, the senators warned that using the semi-quincentennial to elevate the current president risks turning a unifying national milestone into a vehicle for personal promotion. They emphasized that proceeding with the plan could politicize a document central to national identity and result in unnecessary and wasteful costs for taxpayers.