The US Treasury Department is reportedly reviewing the possibility of issuing a $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump's portrait, sparking growing controversy. Reports that a senior official at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing who had pushed back against the plan was abruptly reassigned have further fueled allegations of political pressure.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday, citing multiple current and former Treasury officials, that Treasurer Brandon Beach and his adviser Mike Brown last year asked staff at the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing to begin work on prototype designs for a $250 bill. Both are known to be Republican political appointees.
British-born artist Ian Alexander joined the new banknote design project. In an interview with the Washington Post, he said he exchanged opinions directly with the Trump camp and carried out design revisions. Trump reportedly approved a plan to emphasize the colors of the American flag and incorporate a logo commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.
Still, analysts say significant hurdles stand in the way of actual issuance. Under US law, only the portraits of deceased individuals may appear on currency, and a $250 denomination is not currently among the officially issued denominations.
Patricia Solimene, who led the Bureau of Engraving and Printing at the time, reportedly raised these legal issues and procedural limitations during internal meetings. She explained that issuing a new high-denomination bill would require not only congressional approval but also an extended verification process involving security design and counterfeit-prevention technology.
Solimene, however, was abruptly transferred to another department in April. In a farewell email to staff, she wrote, "I leave with a heavy heart," adding that "this decision was not my own." Mike Brown was named acting director as her successor.
Within the Treasury Department, the unusual personnel decision has drawn varying interpretations. "Producing a new banknote typically takes six to eight years," one official said. "High-denomination bills in particular require far longer to build out counterfeit-prevention systems."
The most recent US $100 bill itself reportedly took more than a decade to develop, incorporating advanced security features such as holographic strips and special inks.
Political activity has also continued. Republican Rep. Joe Wilson last year introduced a bill to issue a $250 Federal Reserve note bearing Trump's portrait, but it has yet to enter substantive deliberation.
As the controversy grew, the Treasury Department drew a line in a statement, saying it "has not directed the printing of any banknote prior to congressional approval." It explained, however, that preliminary reviews and working-level procedures are underway in preparation for potential legislation.
Meanwhile, the Treasury is already working on printing new $100 bills bearing Trump's signature. It is reportedly the first time a sitting president's signature will appear on US currency.
