1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand immediate congressional action to address unprecedented presidential corruption and self-enrichment that threatens the constitutional foundations of our democracy. Between February 13 and 14, 2026, President Trump's private company filed trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for "President Donald J. Trump International Airport," "Donald J. Trump International Airport," and "DJT" for use on airports and merchandise. Trademark lawyer Josh Gerben confirms this is unprecedented: never before has a sitting president's private company sought trademark rights before a landmark naming. Any airport adopting the Trump name would be required to license it, generating fees for the president's private business. The administration is actively leveraging federal funding for naming rights. In October, OMB director Russell Vought withheld billions for a Hudson River tunnel, and Trump told Senator Chuck Schumer he would release the funds only if Schumer agreed to name Dulles Airport and Penn Station after him. Florida's legislature is now pushing to rename Palm Beach International Airport with a $2.75 million budget allocation, likely a placeholder for $5.5 million. The Trump family has enriched itself by an estimated $4 billion during this term through merchandise, political contributions, and cryptocurrency deals. Days before Trump took office, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan purchased 49% of Trump's World Liberty Financial crypto company for $500 million, putting $187 million into Trump family entities and $31 million into entities owned by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff's family. George Washington established the precedent that presidents serve the public interest, not personal profit. In his 1789 Inaugural Address, Washington explicitly stated he would accept no payments except his official congressional salary. Our revered presidents used government power to secure rights and prosperity for Americans, not personal aggrandizement. I urge you to initiate investigations, support legislation prohibiting presidential self-dealing, and use every constitutional tool available to restore accountability. Our democracy depends on leaders who prioritize country over personal enrichment.