An unprecedented step marks the United States’ celebration of 250 years of independence
The United States of America is marking the 250th anniversary of its independence through an unprecedented measure announced on Thursday.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury stated that $100 bills will bear the signature of President Donald Trump in celebration of the 250th anniversary of independence. This represents a first for a sitting president, while the signature of the U.S. Treasurer will be removed from American banknotes for the first time in 165 years.
Alongside Trump’s signature, the signature of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will also appear on the bills to be printed in June, followed by additional banknotes in the following months.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, part of the Treasury Department, is currently producing banknotes bearing the signatures of Treasury Secretary under former President Joe Biden’s administration, Janet Yellen, and U.S. Treasurer Lynne Malerba.
Malerba will be the last in an unbroken line of Treasurers whose signatures have appeared on U.S. federal currency since 1861, when it was first issued by the U.S. government.
This change of signature is part of recent efforts by the Trump administration and its allies to place the president’s name on buildings, institutions, government programs, warships, and coins. A federal technical committee, whose members were appointed by Trump himself, approved the design of a commemorative gold coin bearing his image.
In a statement, Bessent said the step is appropriate to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the United States, given the strong economic growth, financial stability, and the “continued dominance of the dollar” during Trump’s second term.
He added: “There is no better way to celebrate the historic achievements of our great country and our President Donald J. Trump than by issuing dollar banknotes bearing his name. It is entirely fitting to issue this historic currency on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of United States independence.”
Efforts to issue a circulating one-dollar coin bearing Trump’s name have stalled due to laws prohibiting the depiction of living individuals on U.S. coins.
The law governing the printing of Federal Reserve notes grants the Treasury broad authority to alter designs to combat counterfeiting. However, it requires retaining certain elements, including the phrase “In God We Trust,” and allows only the portraits of deceased persons.
Treasury officials confirmed that the overall design of the banknotes will not change, except for replacing the Treasurer’s signature with Trump’s.
