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The U.S. Treasury Department said Thursday it plans to include Donald Trump’s signature on all newly printed U.S. paper currency, a move that would break with longstanding precedent.
Traditionally, U.S. currency features the signatures of the Treasury Secretary and the U.S. Treasurer — not the sitting president. Officials said the change is intended to mark the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the decision reflects an effort to recognize the country’s history, adding that his own signature would also appear on the bills.
Break from historical norm
The proposed change would mark the first time a sitting president’s signature appears on U.S. paper money, raising legal and political questions.
Congress granted the Treasury secretary authority over the design and production of paper currency in 1862 during the American Civil War, when the government began issuing “greenbacks” to finance the conflict.
Experts say that authority may give the Treasury Department discretion over whose signatures appear on currency, though the move is expected to face scrutiny.
“It will undoubtedly come with political pushback,” said Michael Bordo of Rutgers University, who noted it is unclear whether the decision crosses any legal boundaries.
Part of broader symbolic push
The currency plan is the latest in a series of efforts by Trump to imprint his name on national institutions. Those efforts have included changes involving the U.S. Institute of Peace and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
It also coincides with a separate initiative to feature Trump’s likeness on a commemorative coin marking the country’s 250th birthday. A design for a gold coin bearing his image was recently approved by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.
Federal law generally prohibits depicting a living president on U.S. currency, a restriction that has fueled criticism of the coin proposal.
Production and scale
U.S. paper currency is produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, while coins are manufactured by the United States Mint.
According to the Federal Reserve, more than $2 trillion in Federal Reserve notes are currently in circulation.
Political backlash
Democrats criticized the timing of the announcement, pointing to rising costs for consumers.
Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, called the move “gross and un-American” in a social media post, linking it to broader concerns about inflation and rising prices for everyday goods.
Supporters of the plan defended it as appropriate recognition of Trump’s leadership. Brandon Beach said including the president’s signature on currency is “well deserved.”
What comes next
If implemented, the change would gradually appear as new currency enters circulation, potentially making the bills notable to collectors in the years ahead, experts said.
