The U.S. Treasury Department plans to put President Donald Trump’s signature on all new dollar bills. Traditionally, the bills bear the signature of the Treasury secretary.
This is the latest time Trump has put his name and likeness on American cultural institutions, after he renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Kennedy Center Performing Arts Center, and a new class of battleships, among other memorabilia.
And the plans come at the same time as efforts to put Trump’s face on a coin, which has also drawn criticism because federal law prohibits the depiction of a living president on U.S. currency.
Earlier this month, the Federal Art Commission approved the final design for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring Trump to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary on July 4.
The vote by the U.S. Fine Arts Commission, whose members are Republican supporters and were appointed by the president earlier this year, passed without objection.
The U.S. Treasury Department says the plan to put Trump’s signature on all new paper currency is intended to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary, and that the currency will also bear the signature of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant.
The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing is responsible for producing all paper money. In contrast, the U.S. Mint produces all coins. According to the Federal Reserve, more than $2 trillion in Federal Reserve notes are in circulation.