Treasury Department officials appointed by President Donald Trump are moving forward with efforts to create a $250 bill featuring Trump’s face. The Washington Post reported that political appointees at Treasury have pushed officials at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the agency responsible for designing and producing U.S. currency, to move forward with mockups for a $250 banknote bearing Trump’s image. The effort reportedly continued even after officials raised concerns about legal and logistical barriers, as federal law permits only deceased people to be depicted on banknotes.
The push comes more than a year after Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced legislation dubbed the “Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act,” which would direct the Treasury Department to print a new $250 denomination featuring Trump and create an exemption to the law barring such a note.
A Treasury Department spokeswoman told the Washington Examiner that designs for a commemorative banknote began as a matter of “due diligence” after Wilson introduced the legislation.
“In response to active legislation sponsored by Representative Joe Wilson, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence,” the spokeswoman said. “Should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of our great nation.”
