State Department to Issue Special Edition Passports Featuring Donald Trump for 250th Anniversary

Published: Apr 29, 2026 - 11:55 p.m.

By Analese Hartford

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. State Department announced a significant change to the nation's travel documents today, revealing a special-edition passport designed to commemorate America's upcoming 250th birthday. This new commemorative version will feature the likeness of President Donald Trump on the inside cover, marking the first time in history a president's portrait has been included in this manner. The decision follows the recent announcement of two officially minted $1 coins that will also feature the president's image. According to mock-ups released by the State Department, the design includes Trump's face on the primary identification page alongside his signature printed in gold. A representation of the Declaration of Independence serves as the backdrop for the portrait. The back cover of the passport shifts away from the standard blue to feature an American flag based on the 1777 design, with 13 stars surrounding the number 250. While the inclusion of a political figure on a passport is unprecedented, the legal authority for such a move is rooted in a law from 1926. This statute, which governs the issuance of travel documents, grants the secretary of state broad power to determine the form and content of the passport. Because of this wide latitude, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the authority to approve the new artwork without needing a vote from Congress or any independent governing board. It is a notable shift from the tradition of using neutral national symbols like the Great Seal or landscapes of the American West. The last time the department overhauled the passport design was in 2021 with the introduction of the Next Generation Passport. Those changes did not focus on artwork, as they were primarily implemented to improve security through laser-cut numbers and embedded data chips. These limited-edition passports will be available starting this summer for citizens applying for new documents, though the department noted the rollout is subject to availability. Travelers interested in obtaining the commemorative version should check for updates on the official State Department website regarding specific application requirements and regional availability. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.