The U.S. State Department confirmed a bold new change to one of the country’s most recognized travel documents ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations this summer. The department revealed plans for a redesign that has already sparked widespread discussion about the boundaries of presidential commemoration.
Donald Trump’s face will now appear on US passport, says official
The U.S. State Department will begin issuing limited-edition passports featuring President Donald Trump’s image this summer. The Bulwark first reported the redesign, which the State Department later confirmed. The new passports commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Mock-ups show Trump’s second inaugural portrait on the inside cover, superimposed over the Declaration of Independence text. The president’s signature appears in gold alongside an American flag. The back cover features John Trumbull’s famous painting of the Founding Fathers signing the Declaration of Independence.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the plans in an official statement on Tuesday. “The State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed U.S. Passports to commemorate this historic occasion,” Pigott said. He added that the passports will maintain “the same security features that make the U.S. Passport the most secure documents in the world.”
A State Department official said the passport will serve as the default issue at the Washington Passport Agency. Online renewals and other locations will continue using the existing design. The Bulwark reported that the State Department plans a limited run of 25,000 passports with the new design.
Georgetown University professor Edward Kolla called the decision “wacky” in comments to The Bulwark. No modern U.S. passport has featured a sitting president’s image, according to Kolla. No foreign passport currently features the head of state of any country, he added.
The passport redesign follows similar moves by the administration to place Trump’s likeness on government items. The Treasury Department plans commemorative coins featuring Trump’s image. The National Park Service also added Trump’s face to its park passes as part of anniversary celebrations.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
