The Trump administration unveiled America.gov on Tuesday, a new website powered by artificial intelligence designed to make it easier for Americans to take advantage of federal services such as passport applications.
At a presentation in Washington, DC for the new website on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the platform's ease of use when it comes to applying for a U.S. passport, as it eliminates the need to leave your home for a photo or visit a post office, public library or other application facility.
"I think you would agree that American citizens deserve better than this, and that’s why the State Department is partnering with America.gov to rebuild the entire thing from the ground up, and it begins with something pretty remarkable," said Rubio.
"Starting next year, Americans will be able to apply for their first passport entirely online," he added. "No printing forms, no drugstore hostage photo, no appointment, no line, no middleman that you’re paying to do something that should be available to you."
The new site combines as many as 29,000 different federal websites into one, serving as a one-stop shop for federal information and services, including national park campground reservations.
"Let me show you how easy it is," said Rubio. "You would ask: 'How do I apply for my first passport?' And once I’m signed in with login.gov, I can securely see the information that the government already has about me in its system. I don’t have to type the same thing over and over and over again."
Trump called America.gov "the ultimate product."
"With America.gov, the federal government no longer stands in your way, and it stands only at your service. And that’s what we’re doing. We’re simplifying it. We’re glamorizing it. We’re making it what it should be," added Trump.
In addition to being able to apply for a first-time passport online, the streamlined process will feature a new passport design called "Flight of the Eagle" beginning in 2028.
"The American Eagle, the emblem of American strength and freedom—and it’s instantly recognizable to everyone anywhere in the world," said Rubio. "When you open the book, the eagle takes flight. The eagle carries you across 250 years of America."
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