The State Department plans to make a new batch of U.S. passports with President Donald Trump’s image available nationwide, citing an “overwhelming demand” for special editions of the travel document.
“Americans all across the country will now have the opportunity to apply for one of these additional special passports, known as the ‘Patriot Passport,’” the State Department wrote in a statement.
The passports were originally only available for in-person applicants at the Washington Passport Agency in D.C. The State Department is set to make an additional 250,000 accessible from 27 passport agencies across the country beginning Aug. 8. Appointments are required to apply.
“An American passport is more than just a travel document; it’s a physical piece of our national identity – a reminder that wherever you are in the world, you are an American,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X about the expanded offering of the travel documents.
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No living president has ever been featured on a passport prior to Trump’s rollout this year in commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“Patriot Passports” are some of the latest government-produced items to feature Trump’s image. The U.S. Mint has started production for $1 coins emblazoned with his portrait that are expected to be released into circulation this fall. The president’s signature will also appear on paper bills, with the currency set to roll out later this year. In Congress, Republicans introduced a bill in February to include Trump’s portrait on $250 bills to celebrate the nation’s founding.
The passports have commemorative artwork honoring America’s 250th anniversary, including a portrait of Trump within the text of the Declaration of Independence on the inside cover and a picture of John Trumbull’s famous “Declaration of Independence” painting on the back cover.
The travel documents also have a gold Freedom 250 flag — representing the Trump-backed group that organized events in Washington like July’s Great American State Fair and and an upcoming Grand Prix race. Freedom 250 took over celebrations of the nation’s founding, leaving the bipartisan, congressionally funded group America 250 largely out of this summer’s major events.
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