Representative Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, has raised concerns regarding the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) recent trademark applications for the “Board of Peace,” an international initiative launched by President Donald Trump. Raskin questions the legality of these filings and warns they may obscure foreign funding linked to the newly established entity.
The USPTO filed two intent-to-use trademark applications for the “Board of Peace.” The first, Serial No. 76720938, was submitted on December 30, 2025, for a standard character mark. The second, Serial No. 76720939, filed on January 21, 2026, covers a design mark featuring a globe superimposed on a shield flanked by laurel branches. Both applications were personally signed and filed by USPTO Director John A. Squires, marking an unusual instance of a federal agency seeking trademark protection for a nascent governmental initiative. ([patentlyo.com](https://patentlyo.com/patent/2026/02/uspto-board-peace.html?utm_source=openai))
President Trump formally introduced the “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026, describing it as “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place.” ([patentlyo.com](https://patentlyo.com/patent/2026/02/uspto-board-peace.html?utm_source=openai))
In response to the trademark filings, the USPTO defended its actions by citing concerns over bad-faith actors and cybersquatting. The agency emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the “Board of Peace” initiative from potential misuse. ([worldtrademarkreview.com](https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/uspto-defends-board-of-peace-trademarks-citing-bad-faith-actors-and-cybersquatting?utm_source=openai))
Raskin’s inquiry underscores the broader issue of transparency and accountability in governmental initiatives, especially those with international implications. The potential for foreign funding to be concealed through such trademark filings raises questions about the oversight mechanisms in place to monitor and regulate these activities.
As the situation develops, legal professionals and policymakers will be closely monitoring the USPTO’s actions and the responses from congressional leaders to ensure that the principles of transparency and legality are upheld in the establishment and operation of the “Board of Peace.”