Overview
- Senate Democrats led by Jeff Merkley sent a letter Wednesday asking Secretary of State Marco Rubio to halt plans for a limited‑edition passport that includes President Trump’s image and signature.
- The senators — including Chris Van Hollen, Jacky Rosen, Tim Kaine and Angus King — said the U.S. passport has never featured a sitting president and warned the design could have an anti‑democratic effect.
- Their letter asks the State Department to explain how the design was chosen, how much the program will cost taxpayers and whether passport applicants can opt out of receiving the special edition.
- The State Department publicly announced the passports in April and has said security features and travel eligibility will not change, with initial issuance planned by the Washington Passport Agency and a July 4–era rollout still scheduled.
- The passport is one element of a broader push during the semiquincentennial to put the president’s likeness or signature on federal items, a pattern that has prompted rival legislation and raised questions about precedent and use of public resources.