US to produce passports featuring Trump's image

Donald Trump's picture will soon appear in limited edition passports, commemorating the United States' 250th year of independence.

The US State Department has announced on Tuesday that it will produce a limited number of commemorative passports bearing the portrait of President Donald Trump.

What do we know about new US passports?

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement that the passports will be released as part of the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence in July. The statement did not mention that the passports would contain Trump's image.

However, renderings provided by the State Department showed Trump's portrait displayed on a page inside the passport, opposite an image of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

It was unclear if passport applicants could opt out of the special edition.

"These ‌passports will feature customized artwork and enhanced imagery while maintaining ‌the ​same security features that make the US passport the most secure documents in the world," Pigott said.

Meanwhile, the AFP news agency cited an unnamed State Department official as saying that the Trump-themed passports would only be available in Washington "for as long as there is availability" and at no additional cost.

Trump's personal stamp on US instituions

This is the latest example of the Trump administration attaching the president's name or likeness to official property.

Earlier, the US Mint announced plans for a commemorative gold coin featuring Trump's image to mark the anniversary of the country's founding, and the Treasury Department said paper currency will bear Trump's signature, making it the first time a sitting president has signed US money.

There are very few modern examples of pictures of sitting leaders appearing in passports, let alone in a democracy. Most nations prefer to carry imagery related to their history or nature.

Current US passports depict multiple scenes from the country's history, including the Statue of Liberty and the Moon landing.