The United States is set to issue a special limited-edition passport to mark the 250th anniversary of its independence, featuring a photograph of President Donald Trump and his golden signature. According to the US State Department, the new design will be rolled out this summer.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the passport has been designed with “customised artwork and enhanced imagery,” while maintaining existing security features to ensure it remains among the most secure travel documents globally.
The limited-edition passports will initially be issued through the Washington Passport Agency. Applicants renewing passports in person at the agency will receive the new version by default, while those applying online will continue to receive the standard design.
The back cover of the new passport will feature John Trumbull’s painting “Declaration of Independence,” depicting the 1776 moment of the US declaration. The artwork is displayed in the Capitol building in Washington, DC, and is regarded as a symbol of American independence.
By contrast, the current US passport includes imagery on the front cover inspired by Francis Scott Key’s poem linked to the national anthem.
This is not the first instance of President Trump’s image being included in official or commemorative materials. The Interior Department previously introduced redesigned National Park passes featuring a joint image of Trump and George Washington.
Additionally, the US Commission of Fine Arts has approved a commemorative coin bearing Trump’s image. A proposal is also under consideration to rename an airport in Florida as “Donald J. Trump International Airport.”
The new passport design has prompted international responses. Iran’s consulate in Mumbai commented on social media, describing the move as a “political display of 250 years of heritage,” and stated that passports in Western countries are often used as historical and political symbols.
Experts note that including the image of a sitting president in a national passport is not standard practice. Typically, passports avoid political imagery and instead feature national symbols, historical landmarks, or cultural motifs.
The United States has historically followed this approach, and the new design is being viewed as a departure from that tradition, prompting debate over political neutrality.
Several other government and public institutions are also being considered for renaming after Trump, including airports, naval warships, government programmes, and certain financial initiatives.
Reports also indicate that plans are under consideration to include Trump’s signature on US currency, which would represent a rare change in the country’s monetary design.
