Now that Donald Trump is president, the traditional presidential challenge coin has undergone major changes, including the addition of his "Make America Great Again" slogan.

In addition, the presidential seal has been replaced with an eagle bearing Trump's signature, the Washington Post reported.


The 13 arrows representing the original states are also gone. The national motto, "E pluribus unum" -- a Latin phrase that means "Out of many, one" -- also has been removed.

Some ethics experts questioned the unprecedented decision to include a campaign slogan on the coins, which are often given to members of the military, the newspaper reported.

“For the commander in chief to give a political token with a campaign slogan on it to military officers would violate the important principle of separating the military from politics, as well as diminishing the tradition of the coin,” Trevor Potter, a Republican and former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, told the Post.

In addition to his signature, Trump’s name appears three times on the coin, which is nearly twice as thick as its predecessors, while the traditional subdued silver and copper coloring is replaced with gold, the report said.

Challenge coins originated from military baubles bearing division insignia and presented by officers to troops for exemplary service, the Post reported.

Not everyone in the Trump administration has created their own challenge coin; among them is Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general.

“It’s not about him. It’s about the person whose hand he is shaking,” Mattis' spokeswoman told the Post.

White House officials declined to say how much the coins cost or who designed them, according to the report.

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quote:

"...would violate the important principle of separating the military from politics"

...that's a joke, right? They can't actually be saying politics and the military are separate....right?

quote:

Originally posted by xwesler:

quote:

"...would violate the important principle of separating the military from politics"

...that's a joke, right? They can't actually be saying politics and the military are separate....right?

That was my first thought as well. Commander in Chief have any meaning? So I guess the military can go out and start a few wars as they see fit with no government oversight?


But back to the coin. It sounds pretty bad ass. Especially being twice as thick.

This President loves flash. Take a look at Trump Tower.
Lots of flash. It’s his personality.
I think we all wanted a change from the standard party minion. We got what we wanted.
I’m looking forward to the next 7 years.

quote:

Originally posted by fgwilliams1:
This President loves flash. Take a look at Trump Tower.
Lots of flash. It’s his personality.
I think we all wanted a change from the standard party minion. We got what we wanted.
I’m looking forward to the next 7 years.

+1
Not really the design I’d have chosen, but I am so pleased with everything he has accomplished I’ll be darned if I’m going to quibble about little things. The next guy can change it back in seven or so years if he wants. In the meantime, roll on Trump Train!

Read this online. Not sure if it’s true, but if it is, I want one!

quote:

Challenge coins are now being used by many different organizations. In the federal government, everyone from Secret Service agents to White House staff to the President's personal valets have their own coins. Probably the coolest coins are those for White House Military Aides—the people who carry the atomic football—whose coins are, naturally, in the shape of a football.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

quote:

Originally posted by fgwilliams1:
This President loves flash. Take a look at Trump Tower.
Lots of flash. It’s his personality.
I think we all wanted a change from the standard party minion. We got what we wanted.
I’m looking forward to the next 7 years.

+1
Not really the design I’d have chosen, but I am so pleased with everything he has accomplished I’ll be darned if I’m going to quibble about little things. The next guy can change it back in seven or so years if he wants. In the meantime, roll on Trump Train!

Pretty much where I'm at on it.

The leftist whingers are, of course, all over it like a bad suit

I have no problem with President Trump making the change. In 2024, Pence can change it again.

Will they be available for us to purchase?

I cannot even believe this is a real news story. Did they run out of actual news to cover?

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
Will they be available for us to purchase?

Usually those are given out (not sold) to someone who did a good job at something when he/she did not have to. They are tangible "attaboys" for a short-term event.

what did the previous ones look like

They got his middle initial wrong...It should be an F...As in, Donal Fucking Trump! MAGA!

quote:

Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
what did the previous ones look like

I don't know but probably a prayer rug with a rainbow

quote:

Some ethics experts...

Who are these experts and what makes them an expert?

/rhetorical question.

quote:

Originally posted by xwesler:

quote:

"...would violate the important principle of separating the military from politics"

...that's a joke, right? They can't actually be saying politics and the military are separate....right?

The military strives to stay out of politics.

One of my NCOs got a secret service coin for working with them when Biden visited our FOB.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by xwesler:

quote:

"...would violate the important principle of separating the military from politics"

...that's a joke, right? They can't actually be saying politics and the military are separate....right?

The military strives to stay out of politics.

8 years (and counting) in the Army tells me that if that's the case, we have failed miserably. There are politics involved at EVERY level.