The State Department announced Tuesday it will produce a limited run of commemorative passports that, according to official renderings, include a portrait of President Donald Trump. The special edition is being released as part of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this July.
In a statement, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the passports would ‘‘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’s statement did not explicitly mention the president’s likeness, but sample pages circulated by officials show Mr. Trump’s portrait opposite an image of the 1776 signing of the Declaration.
It is not clear whether applicants will be able to opt out of receiving the commemorative pages. The AFP news agency, citing an unnamed State Department official, reported the Trump-themed passports will be issued only in Washington ‘‘for as long as there is availability’’ and will be provided at no additional cost.
The decision continues a pattern under the current administration of placing the president’s name or image on official items. Earlier announcements related to the 250th anniversary included a US Mint commemorative gold coin featuring Mr. Trump’s image, and the Treasury Department said paper currency would carry the president’s signature — which officials described as the first time a sitting president has signed US money.
Passport design varies widely by country; there are few recent examples of sitting leaders’ portraits appearing in passports, especially in democracies, where imagery typically highlights historical events, national symbols or natural landmarks. US passports already include multiple scenes from the nation’s past, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Moon landing.
Officials have framed the commemorative run as a tribute to the nation’s founding; more detailed distribution and opt-out information has not yet been confirmed.