GOP Rep Says Trump Passports Aren’t Far From What ‘We Laughed At’ In Communist States

On Apr 30, 2026

GOP Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said he thinks it’s “a little silly” for the State Department to be putting President Donald Trump’s likeness on U.S. passports.

Asked about the plans to feature the president’s face and gilded signature on the inside cover of a limited run of passports commemorating America’s 250th birthday, he told CNN, “We laughed at Russia when they had pictures of Lenin and Stalin everywhere” during the Soviet era.

Citing other communist countries, Bacon added, “Go to China, they had pictures of Mao everywhere. You go to North Korea, pictures of … Kim Jong Un.”

“We’re America, and I think we do less of that,” the Republican continued, calling the move an “overreach” on the part of Trump “subordinates” trying to “cater for his attention.”

pic.twitter.com/qPSPArFETX

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 29, 2026

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GOP Rep. Don Bacon: “I think it’s a little silly. We laughed at Russia when they had pictures of Lenin and Stalin everywhere. China had pictured of Mao everywhere. North Korea has Kim Jong Un. We’re America and I think we do less of that.” pic.twitter.com/qPSPArFETX

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 29, 2026

The Bulwark was the first to report the redesign, which will be printed on 250,000 travel documents only available through in-person renewals at the Washington, D.C., passport agency.

According to a statement from the State Department, the special edition will include the “same security features that make the U.S. Passport the most secure [document] in the world.”

A rendering of limited-edition passports set to feature President Donald Trump's image, provided to The Associated Press by the State Department. — A rendering of limited-edition passports set to feature President Donald Trump’s image, provided to The Associated Press by the State Department.

White House spokesperson Olivia Wales called the “new patriotic passport design” a “great way Americans can join in the spectacular celebrations for America’s 250th birthday” in a comment to The Hill.

Trump has been eager to leave his mark on as many things as possible during his second term in office. In addition to adding his name to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, his administration has installed banners bearing his image outside of the buildings of the Departments of Labor, Justice and Agriculture.

In October, the Treasury Department shared a design for a new commemorative $1 coin that features an etching of the president raising his fist after a 2024 attempt on his life at a Pennsylvania rally.