Rubio's Passport Power Play: "Thought Police" Authority Sparks Alarm

Rubio's "Thought Police" Power Sparks Alarm as Bill to Revoke Passports Advances In a move that has sent shockwaves through civil liberties circles, a bill introduced by Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., would grant Secretary of State Marco Rubio the power to revoke U.S. passports based on an individual's thoughts and opinions. The provision, part of a larger State Department reorganization, is set for a hearing Wednesday. According to sources, Rubio has already demonstrated his willingness to use this power, as evidenced by his decision in March to strip Turkish doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürks of her visa based on a court later found was nothing more than her opinion piece critical of Israel. The move sparked outrage among advocates for free speech and due process. "This bill would open the door to 'thought police' powers, allowing Rubio to revoke passports based solely on an individual's speech," said Seth Stern, director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation. "It's a clear threat to American citizens' right to travel and express themselves freely." The provision, sponsored by Mast as part of his State Department reorganization bill, claims to target terrorists and traffickers. However, critics argue that it could be used to deny Americans their right to travel based on their opinions. "We cannot let the government dictate what we can or cannot say," said Stern. "This bill is a slippery slope that would undermine our fundamental rights as citizens." The State Department declined to comment on the pending legislation, citing its policy of not commenting on proposed bills. Rubio's history with revoking visas and passports has raised concerns among advocates for free speech and due process. In 2025, he spoke at a press conference during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in The Hague, where he emphasized his commitment to protecting national security interests. The bill is set for a hearing on Wednesday, with many expecting it to face intense scrutiny from lawmakers and civil liberties groups. As the debate unfolds, one thing is clear: the fate of American citizens' right to travel and express themselves freely hangs in the balance. Background: The provision is part of a larger State Department reorganization bill sponsored by Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla. Rubio has already demonstrated his willingness to use this power, as evidenced by his decision to strip Turkish doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürks of her visa based on a court later found was nothing more than her opinion piece critical of Israel. Context: The bill's introduction comes at a time when concerns about government overreach and erosion of civil liberties are growing. Advocates for free speech and due process argue that the provision would undermine fundamental rights as citizens. Additional Perspectives: Seth Stern, director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation, expressed his concerns about the bill: "This is a clear threat to American citizens' right to travel and express themselves freely... We cannot let the government dictate what we can or cannot say." The State Department's decision not to comment on the pending legislation has raised questions among lawmakers and civil liberties groups. As the debate unfolds, one thing is clear: the fate of American citizens' right to travel and express themselves freely hangs in the balance. Next Developments: The bill is set for a hearing on Wednesday, with many expecting it to face intense scrutiny from lawmakers and civil liberties groups. *Reporting by Theintercept.*