From The New Yorker · Adam Gopnik · · 4m
Trump's face on the new U.S. passport
The State Department is redesigning the passport with a flip-book eagle and, apparently, a permanent presidential portrait.
In brief
The State Department is redesigning the passport with a flip-book eagle and, apparently, a permanent presidential portrait. Marco Rubio announced passport changes expected in twenty twenty-eight that include a flip-book effect and reportedly Trump's portrait, raising concerns about presidential self-aggrandizement on…
Quick answers
- Will Trump stay on the new passport?
- Although not explicitly guaranteed in Rubio's presentation, a sharp-eyed journalist noted that toward the end, an image of the new passport's inside cover appeared with Trump's face clearly imprinted on it.
- What is the key takeaway from Trump's face on the new U.S. passport?
- Marco Rubio announced passport changes expected in twenty twenty-eight that include a flip-book effect and reportedly Trump's portrait, raising concerns about presidential self-aggrandizement on a national symbol.
The passport as American treasure
The U.S. passport has long been deeply treasured as a symbol of something profoundly positive in the national character, valued above nearly all other official documents by those who hold it.
What the old passport said
The traditional passport bore a simple, eloquent statement: "The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein…
“The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance.”
Refugees and the passport's meaning
Vladimir Nabokov felt like a criminal holding a Nansen passport for stateless persons until he obtained an American one in nineteen forty-five.Elie Wiesel carried his U.S.passport everywhere, so essential was it to restoring his soul.
Rubio announces the redesign
Secretary of State Marco Rubio introduced passport changes expected to take effect in twenty twenty-eight on September twenty-ninth in a presentation mixing elements of an Apple product launch with a high-school civics pageant.
Bigger words, bigger seal
On the new passport cover, the words "United States of America" will be larger and positioned first, right on top. The Great Seal featuring a bald eagle will also be bigger and more gold.
Historical scenes and a flip-book
Passport pages will contain scenes from American history: the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, the flag raising at Iwo Jima, and the March on Washington.
Rubio's flip-book pitch
Rubio said American passport holders can amuse themselves with the flip-book effect at airports. He remarked, "It's either this or some Game Boy for your kids," suggesting other nations' citizens will look on with envy.
“It's either this or some Game Boy for your kids”
The Patriot Passport with Trump
The State Department issued a limited-edition passport for the two-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence featuring a belligerent-looking Donald Trump on the inside cover, available only by special appointment at the Washington Passport Agency.
Trump's image resembles his mug shot
The Trump image on the Patriot Passport resembles a presidential mug shot taken when Trump surrendered to authorities in a Fulton County jail on charges connected to the Georgia case against his attempted interference in…
Will Trump stay on the new passport?
Although not explicitly guaranteed in Rubio's presentation, a sharp-eyed journalist noted that toward the end, an image of the new passport's inside cover appeared with Trump's face clearly imprinted on it.
Presidents are temporary custodians
Ronald Reagan said, "You don't become President of the United States.You are given temporary custody of an institution called the Presidency, which belongs to our people."Reagan would never have put his picture on the passport.
“You don't become President of the United States. You are given temporary custody of an institution called the Presidency, which belongs to our people.”
Naming things after dead politicians
New York City bridges and tunnels are named after politicians like Washington, Hamilton, Lincoln, F.D.R., R.F.K., and Ed Koch.The essential detail: those politicians are dead.You do the job, leave it, and history rates your work.
Self-aggrandizement versus democracy
Putting your face on the passport is a symptom of tyrannical egotism, exactly opposite to the republican premise.A president is not a substitute tyrant or king whose face appears on currency, coins, and postage stamps.
Symbols matter more than policy
A constitution and democracy live not just by policies pursued but by symbols enshrined.The absence of a living officeholder's image on travel documents was a deliberate declaration of equality.
What the passport should be
A U.S.passport should bear the image and imprint of no officeholder of any kind.It should merely let citizens pass on their journey through the world freely and without hindrance, just as the old one does.
What matters most
Marco Rubio announced passport changes expected in twenty twenty-eight that include a flip-book effect and reportedly Trump's portrait, raising concerns about presidential self-aggrandizement on a national symbol.
