Trumps picture to feature in US passports

The United States State Department has announced plans to introduce a limited-edition passport that will feature an image of President Donald Trump, marking a rare departure from long-standing diplomatic and institutional norms.

Officials said on Tuesday that the special passport design is part of commemorations for the country’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

According to the department, the commemorative passports will include a portrait of Mr Trump superimposed over the Declaration of Independence dated July 4, 1776, alongside his signature printed in gold. A second version will feature a historic illustration of the US Founding Fathers.

The State Department, which traditionally maintains a non-partisan role in government, shared sample designs on social media as part of the announcement.

“As the United States celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed US passports to commemorate this historic occasion,” said department spokesman Tommy Pigott.

An official, speaking anonymously, said the Trump-themed passports would be available only through in-person appointments in Washington, and only while supplies last. The documents will reportedly be issued at no additional cost.

It remains unclear whether applicants will be able to opt out of the design, though most Americans typically apply for passports through local post offices, which will not issue the special edition.

The move has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who accused the administration of politicising government institutions.

“Secretary Rubio should spend more time convincing his boss to end his war of choice in Iran, and less on wasting American tax dollars indulging Trump’s vanity,” Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote on X.

Globally, passports rarely feature living political leaders. Most countries that include imagery in passports focus on historical landmarks, national symbols, or natural heritage. Even in highly centralised states such as North Korea, official travel documents avoid depicting current leaders.

Current US passports typically feature national landmarks and historical moments, including the Statue of Liberty and the Apollo Moon landing.

The development comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to imprint the president’s identity on federal institutions, including renaming public facilities and expanding the visibility of his branding across government agencies.