The White House and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are pushing Congress to approve a new $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump's portrait to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary of independence. Bessent confirmed that the Treasury Department is preparing for the possibility of the new commemorative note and is currently waiting for a green light from Congress.
The move would require legislation to change longstanding federal law, which prohibits any living person from appearing on US currency. Currently, only deceased people can appear on banknotes. While Trump allies in Congress are moving to make an exception, Democrats have vowed to block the move.
If carried out, this would mark the first time the image of a living person has appeared on US currency in over 150 years. The Treasury Department stated it is preparing for the banknote in response to legislation proposed last year.
Reports indicate that Trump's team has pushed for the bill, with allies allegedly pressuring staff at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The director of the bureau was reportedly abruptly reassigned after expressing concerns regarding the federal law that bars living people from appearing on currency.