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Rubio: US to launch online passport applications in 2027

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 5 outlets, mostly right-leaning (60%).

6 articles in total, 1 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on September 29 that Americans will be able to apply for their first passport entirely online starting next year, through a new government platform called America.gov. Currently, first-time applicants must apply in person at an authorized facility. Rubio said users will be able to access saved personal details by signing in through a login.gov account, avoiding repeated data entry, and that the new system will also simplify the photo-submission process. Rubio said the goal is for the vast majority of Americans to be able to apply for a passport or passport card on America.gov by the end of 2027, calling the change more accessible for people regardless of where they live.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Rubio announced Americans will be able to apply for their first passport fully online starting next year.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  2. The new online system is part of a platform called America.gov.

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  3. Rubio said the goal is for the vast majority of Americans to be able to apply by the end of 2027.

    Reported byRight

  4. Currently, first-time applicants must apply in person at an authorized passport facility.

    Reported byRight

  5. The new system lets applicants retrieve saved personal information via a login.gov account instead of re-entering it.

    Reported byRight

  6. The platform is described as powered by artificial intelligence and intended to help the public navigate government services.

    Reported byRight

How each side tells it

Compare views

  • the left

    1 outlet

    The sole left headline uses light, wry humor focused on the photo-submission change rather than the broader bureaucratic reform.

    No More Drugstore Head Shots: Passport Applications Go Digital
    The New York TimesLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    1 outlet

    The center headline straightforwardly reports Rubio’s announcement of the new online application option.

    Rubio: New US site lets Americans apply online for passport
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    3 outlets · 1 opinion

    Right-leaning outlets mostly report the announcement factually, though the opinion outlet frames it as Rubio dramatically fixing a hated bureaucratic process.

    US to Allow Online Applications for 1st-Time Passports: Rubio
    The Epoch TimesFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left1

    it’ll be your fault

  • Center1

    derided

  • Right5

    deridedpunched in the gutendless paperworkBlows Up

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded verb

    deridedMore neutral: criticized

    The verb frames Rubio's criticism as scornful rather than simply reporting his stated opinion.

    …a day-long event featuring Cabinet members and tech executives, including Rubio, who derided the previous process for applying and obtaining a passport.

    Used byJust the News (Far Right)The Hill (Center)

  • Sensational language

    punched in the gutMore neutral: a source of frustration

    Uses dramatic physical imagery to exaggerate the emotional impact of passport renewal.

    Have you ever had that feeling of being punched in the gut when you look at your passport and realize it’s renewal time?

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    endless paperworkMore neutral: extensive paperwork

    Exaggerates the extent of the bureaucratic process for dramatic effect.

    …system to a simple online process that will get rid of the appointments, the endless paperwork, and the long wait times.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Blows UpMore neutral: Overhauls

    Exaggerates the scope of an administrative change as an explosive event.

    No Lines, No Paperwork: Rubio Blows Up the Dreaded Passport Bureaucracy

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

Show 2 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded modifier

    DreadedMore neutral: Cumbersome

    Presents the prior process's unpopularity as an established fact rather than a characterization.

    No Lines, No Paperwork: Rubio Blows Up the Dreaded Passport Bureaucracy

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    it’ll be your faultMore neutral: applicants will be responsible for photo quality

    Adds a judgmental, blame-assigning tone rather than neutrally describing the policy change.

    …next year, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, so if your picture is bad, it’ll be your fault.

    Used byThe New York Times (Left)

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

1 outlet

Leads with

  • change to passport photo submission
  • personal responsibility for photo quality

Leaves out

  • 2027 timeline goal
  • login.gov account feature
  • AI-powered America.gov platform details

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the headline from the leftHide the headlines
  • The New York TimesLeft

    No More Drugstore Head Shots: Passport Applications Go Digital

    The process of getting a first U.S. passport will go fully online next year, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, so if your picture is bad, Loaded modifier“it’ll be your fault”Adds a judgmental, blame-assigning tone rather than neutrally describing the policy change.More neutral: applicants will be responsible for photo qualityDisagree with this highlight?.

    Read at The New York Times (opens in a new tab)

From the center

1 outlet

Leads with

  • Rubio’s announcement
  • criticism of the old application process
  • launch event details
See the headline from the centerHide the headlines
  • The HillCenter

    Rubio: New US site lets Americans apply online for passport

    President Trump’s new artificial intelligence website allows for Americans to apply for passports online, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday. …

    Read at The Hill (opens in a new tab)

From the right

3 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

  • elimination of in-person visits
  • ease and accessibility of the new process
  • AI chatbot/government modernization angle
See the 4 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • The Epoch TimesFar Right

    US to Allow Online Applications for 1st-Time Passports: Rubio

    Once the system goes live, citizens do not need to physically visit an authorized passport facility to get their passport.

    Read at The Epoch Times (opens in a new tab)
  • One America NewsFar Right

    Rubio: Americans able to apply entirely online for first passport in 2027 through newly-launched ‘America.gov’

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Americans will be able to apply for their first passport entirely online next year through the newly-rolled out America.gov website.

    Read at One America News (opens in a new tab)
  • Just the NewsFar Right

    Rubio says Americans will be able to apply for passports online next year through new portal

    The new method will be part of America.gov, a new government chatbot powered by artificial intelligence, which will allow the public to research federal services and make it easier to navigate the government.

    Read at Just the News (opens in a new tab)
  • RedStateFar RightOpinion

    No Lines, No Paperwork: Rubio Sensational language“Blows Up”Exaggerates the scope of an administrative change as an explosive event.More neutral: OverhaulsDisagree with this highlight? the Loaded modifier“Dreaded”Presents the prior process's unpopularity as an established fact rather than a characterization.More neutral: CumbersomeDisagree with this highlight? Passport Bureaucracy

    Have you ever had that feeling of being punched in the gut when you look at your passport and realize it’s renewal time? It’s a slog under normal conditions, but if you’re in a hurry, it’s even worse because you have to jump through all sorts of hoops to get the process …

    Read at RedState (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    1 day later

    Its first report, Sep 30, 3:13 PM EDT

  • Center

    First to report

    The Hill, Sep 29, 2:26 PM EDT

  • Right

    1 hr later

    Its first report, Sep 29, 3:30 PM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. The HillCenterSep 29, 2:26 PM EDT
  2. One America NewsFar RightSep 29, 3:30 PM EDT
  3. The Epoch TimesFar RightSep 30, 1:05 PM EDT
  4. The New York TimesLeftSep 30, 3:13 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.

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