Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent provides update on currency featuring Donald Trump

President Donald Trump's administration has floated the idea of having his face on a particular U.S. currency bill earlier, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave the latest update regarding the same on Thursday. While speaking to reporters at the White House, Bessent was asked when Americans could expect to see President Trump's face on a $250 bill along with Bessent’s signature. He claimed that part of the legislation was already drafted, and that it was now up to the two houses of Congress.

"As Treasury Secretary, I have two mandates for U.S. currency. At present, no living person can be on U.S. currency, and the currency must say, 'In God we trust.' Right now, there is a proposed legislation in front of the House and the Senate to change the first requirement, so that a living person, Donald J. Trump, could be on a $250 bill…it is all up in Capitol Hill," Bessent said. "At Treasury, we prepare things in advance. So we have prepared in advance that if the legislation is passed, but we will stick to the law," he added.

According to a recent Washington Post report, officials have pushed the department responsible for printing the nation's currency to design a $250 bill with President Trump's face on it. The report also claims that U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and his senior adviser, Mike Brown, pushed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to prepare prototypes.

However, the director of the printing bureau, Patricia Solimene, and other members of staff said that there were legal and procedural hurdles and that it would take years longer than anticipated. Employees at the printing bureau claimed that Beach and Brown were dismissive of such opinions. "She had told them we're not authorized to do this. We can't progress any further, and all the stakeholders have not even met to discuss the next steps," one of the employees said. "Currency often takes six to eight years to produce a new bill, particularly one of such high value."

While the legislation to allow President Trump's face on a $250 note to commemorate the nation's 250th birthday was introduced last year in Congress, it has not made much progress since. A Treasury Department spokesperson, however, said that the printing office would be prepared in case the legislation was passed by both houses and was signed into law.

"Should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP (Bureau of Engraving and Printing) is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of our great nation," the official said. Trump administration officials may believe that this note would be designed for the nation's historic landmark, but Democrats have argued staunchly against it.

Sen. Adam Schiff posted on X to call the move a "violation" of the law, as putting a living person's face on currency was illegal. "How about trying to help Americans with their bills instead?" he asked. Bessent was asked by a reporter whether he personally felt it was a good idea for a President to put his face on American currency. "The President doesn't do it. The House and Senate have to do it," he answered.