The State Department is increasing the availability of a limited-edition passport featuring former President Donald Trump, citing "overwhelming demand." The agency announced it will release an additional 250,000 of the travel documents. This expansion comes after initial releases faced significant public interest.
The decision to offer passports with the former president's likeness has drawn criticism from some lawmakers. In February, several Democratic representatives signed an open letter objecting to plans that would affix Trump's name and likeness onto government property. Representative Lizzie Fletcher, a Democrat from Texas, expressed her disapproval on social media, sharing the open letter and stating that the Kennedy Center, a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, should not bear Trump's name or be closed for renovations.
Fletcher criticized the initial plans for the Kennedy Center, which included a two-year closure for renovations and the addition of Trump's name. She characterized these actions as indicative of "narcissism and lawlessness." Previously, Trump's name had been displayed on the Kennedy Center but was removed following a federal judge's order to restore the building's original designation. The exact details of the renovations and the timeline for the Kennedy Center's reopening remain subjects of discussion among lawmakers.