Kamal Ghorui
The US State Department is preparing to issue a limited batch of commemorative passports to mark America’s 250th birthday. One of the biggest changes in these passports is the inclusion of Donald Trump’s image inside the travel document. According to a CNN report, the special passports will begin rolling out shortly before July 4 and will initially be available to people applying in person at the Washington, D.C., passport office. Officials said between 25,000 and 30,000 passports are expected to be issued in the limited release, while standard passports will remain available through online applications and other locations.
How are the new US passports different
The commemorative passport will feature several design changes compared to the current version. According to a mockup cited by CNN, Trump’s face will appear on the inside cover along with a gold version of his signature. If issued, this would make him the first living US president to be featured inside an American passport. The cover design will also change. Instead of the traditional layout, the new passport will feature “United States of America” in bold gold text at the top and “Passport” at the bottom, reversing the standard placement.The back cover will feature a gold-laminate American flag, with the number “250” surrounded by stars. CNN also reported that the back cover may include imagery from the Declaration of Independence. Despite the visual changes, the State Department said the passport’s security features will remain unchanged.“As the United States celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed U.S. Passports to commemorate this historic occasion,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.“These passports will feature customized artwork and enhanced imagery while maintaining the same security features that make the U.S. Passport the most secure documents in the world,” he added.The commemorative passport will reportedly become the default passport for in-person applicants at the Washington Passport Agency when available. However, people applying online or at other passport centres will continue receiving the current passport design.Existing US passports already feature several historical references. These include images of Mount Rushmore, featuring former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.Other current passport pages include images of the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall. The current version also includes quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. and former presidents, including John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower.The passport redesign is the latest example of Trump’s image being added to public projects tied to America’s 250th anniversary. Recent efforts have included proposals for commemorative coins, national park passes and naming changes linked to government buildings.Rumours also noted Trump’s plans for a new White House ballroom and infrastructure projects in Washington. For now, the commemorative passports will be available in limited numbers, unlike standard US passports, which remain valid for 10 years.
