President Donald Trump is set to have his image included in a special edition of United States passports, a move that breaks with long-standing tradition as part of activities marking a major national milestone
Officials from the United States Department of State confirmed that the redesigned passports are being prepared to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
The commemorative passports are expected to carry two key images—one featuring Trump’s official portrait placed over the Declaration of Independence, complete with his signature in gold beneath it, and another showing a historic depiction of America’s Founding Fathers.
“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,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said on X.
According to another official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the special passports will be issued only in Washington and will be available “for as long as there is availability,” without any additional cost to applicants.
It is still unclear whether applicants will be allowed to opt out of receiving the commemorative version.
The development marks a departure from global norms, where passports typically avoid featuring images of serving political leaders. Existing US passports instead highlight moments from history and iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty.
Since returning to office, Trump has increasingly placed his name and image on public institutions. His likeness has appeared on banners across government buildings, and his name has been linked to institutions such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the dismantled United States Institute of Peace.
In a related move, the Treasury Department recently announced that Trump’s signature would also appear on US dollar bills, another significant shift in precedent.
In contrast, countries like the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth nations feature the image of King Charles III on their currency, reflecting his role as a ceremonial head of state rather than an active political leader.