- Donald Trump image to feature in limited-edition US passports
- Initiative tied to America’s 250th independence anniversary
- Critics accuse administration of “indulging Trump’s vanity”
The United States government is set to introduce a limited-edition passport featuring the image of President Donald Trump, marking a significant departure from long-standing diplomatic norms.
Officials said the special passport design would commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, due in July. The US Department of State confirmed that a limited number of the redesigned travel documents would be issued.
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A sample released by the department shows a stern portrait of Trump superimposed over the historic July 4, 1776 declaration, with his signature inscribed in gold beneath the image. Another version features a classic painting of the country’s Founding Fathers.
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State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the initiative is part of preparations to celebrate the landmark anniversary, noting that the special passports would be available in limited quantities and issued at designated in-person appointments in Washington.
Officials added that the passports would not attract additional costs, though it remains unclear whether applicants would be able to opt out of receiving the Trump-branded version.
The move has sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers, particularly within the Democratic Party, who questioned the necessity of including a sitting president’s image in official travel documents.
In a statement posted on social media, Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee criticised Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying he should focus on pressing foreign policy issues rather than “wasting American tax dollars indulging Trump’s vanity.”
Globally, passports typically feature historical symbols or national landmarks rather than images of current political leaders. Even in highly centralised states, such as North Korea, leaders’ portraits are not included in passports.
Current US passports display a range of historical imagery, including scenes such as the Moon landing and landmarks like the Statue of Liberty.
The latest development adds to a series of moves by the Trump administration to imprint the president’s name and likeness across government institutions, further blurring the line between state symbolism and political identity.
