Check out the new US passport

- President Trump recently suggested that the US passport could be redesigned to feature more "patriotic" or "beautiful" imagery, prompting confusion about whether he understands the basic function of a passport — which is to serve as a government-issued travel document that verifies identity and citizenship for international border crossings. - The article, by economist and commentator "Mish" (Mike Shedlock), critiques this proposal as misguided, arguing that a passport's purpose is practical (identification and secure travel) rather than aesthetic or symbolic. - The broader context: Trump has a history of making offhand remarks about government design and branding (e.g., suggesting changes to Air Force One's paint scheme), which critics see as prioritizing optics over substance. - This matters because passports are internationally standardized documents; arbitrary redesigns could disrupt travel and violate international norms, and the discussion reflects ongoing debates about the role and competence of executive leadership.