The State Department’s plan to feature President Donald Trump’s face on some U.S. passports has received significant backlash from several Democrat lawmakers.
“It’s a scary day in America when an actual King behaves more democratically than the President of the United States,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland on Tuesday, referencing King Charles III’s state visit as he reacted to the news.
The limited-edition passport is set to be rolled out this summer to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. The passports will only be available at the Washington Passport Agency, a State Department official told TIME. They will continue for as long as inventory lasts.
A mock-up of the passport design sees a blue and white image of the President’s face in the middle of the Declaration of Independence. Trump’s signature, marked in gold, can be seen underneath.
This is far from the first time Trump’s name or likeness has been added to something.
Other examples include a giant Trump banner being hung at the Justice Department earlier this year. In another move that prompted backlash, Trump’s name was added to the Kennedy Center in December. The decision was made by the President’s hand-picked board, which he himself chairs.
His signature is also set to be added to U.S. currency.
Meanwhile, several Democrats have echoed Sen. Van Hollen’s concerns about the plan for Trump’s face to appear on some passports.
“You have got to be kidding me. The State Department is putting Donald Trump’s scowling face on the U.S. passport. His signature in gold. Superimposed over the Declaration of Independence, a document literally written to get away from this exact behavior,” said Rep. Mike Levin of California.
“No sitting President has ever done this. Coins, park passes, battleships, and now your passport. The man cannot find a surface he will not slap his name or face on.,” he continued. “This is not patriotism. It is vanity.”
The Democrat House Foreign Affairs Committee also criticized the move, calling it a “distraction” from rising gasoline and oil prices as a result of the Iran war.
“The irony: Many Americans can’t even afford to travel right now. Airfares are up, gas is up, and families are paying the price for a failed war of choice,” the Committee said in response to a White House announcement describing the limited-edition special as a “patriot passport.”
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has resulted in an energy crisis, hitting the pockets of Americans.
The price of Brent crude oil has risen again this week, reaching above $114 per barrel on Wednesday. The national average price of gasoline in the U.S. is also up, sitting at $4.23 per gallon on Wednesday according to the American Automobile Association.
Many Democrats have pointed to such high prices, as well as Trump’s strategy for the war with Iran, as part of their criticism in response to the passport announcement.
“Trump is too busy trying to slap his face on everything to lower costs for working people or end his war in Iran,” claimed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, adding that her bill introduced on April 16, the Humble Presidents Act, “would stop the President from advertising his own personal brand.”
Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania suggested that the Trump Administration’s efforts could be much better suited elsewhere.
“If Trump cared about lowering costs as much as he does putting his face and name on everything, gas would be $1, and we’d be paying $25 a month for groceries,” he claimed. “This guy is only President for himself, and everyone knows it.”
Rep. Ted Lieu of California also pointed towards the energy crisis and market turmoil in his own rebuke.
“Gas prices are at their highest level in four years. What is Sec. [Marco] Rubio focused on? Putting Trump’s face on U.S. passports,” said Lieu.
Quoting a report that stated 55% of Americans say their financial situation is worsening, he went on to question why millions are being spent on the White House ballroom and Trump’s D.C. triumphal arch plans, alongside the passport proposal.
“November is coming,” Lieu concluded, pointing towards the upcoming midterm elections this fall, which will prove pivotal for the Republican control over the government.
Other Democrats, such as Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthiof Illinois and Sen. Adam Schiff of California argued the passport design amounts to “megalomania.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, meanwhile, went a step further in his criticism.
The long-time sparring partner of Trump, who is known for mimicking the President’s vernacular over social media, mocked the passport by pretending to announce a parody California driving license “in honor” of the state’s 175th anniversary.
“It will feature a handsome, high-quality photo of me,” read a statement from the Governor’s press office.“This is about celebrating our beautiful state (it is not about me, despite the very handsome photo).” Newsom’s press office had earlier posted an image of a fake passport design that included a photo of Trump with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The post ‘Scary Day in America’: Democrats Criticize Plan for Trump’s Face to Appear on Some U.S. Passports appeared first on TIME.
