Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.) introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at preventing President Trump\u2014or any sitting or living former president\u2014from appearing on U.S. currency. Their proposal, titled the Change Corruption Act, comes as the U.S. Treasury considers issuing a commemorative $1 coin featuring Trump\u2019s image in recognition of America\u2019s 250th anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bill, cosponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), states plainly: \u201cNo United States currency may feature the likeness of a living or sitting President.\u201d The lawmakers argue that the measure reflects historical practice, noting that U.S. currency has traditionally featured only deceased presidents and statesmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. Mint is reportedly close to announcing whether it will release a limited-run Trump coin as part of the nation\u2019s celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026. Commemorative coins\u2014distinct from circulating coins\u2014are historically used to honor major anniversaries, public achievements, and historic figures. Past presidents, including Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, have been featured posthumously on such special-issue coins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A draft image circulating within the Treasury Department shows Trump\u2019s profile above the word \u201cLiberty,\u201d a standard placement for American coinage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In unusually heated language for a discussion about commemorative currency, Merkley compared Trump\u2019s potential appearance on a coin to the behavior of authoritarian regimes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s self-celebrating maneuvers are authoritarian actions worthy of dictators like North Korea\u2019s Kim Jong Un, not the United States of America,\u201d Merkley said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He argued Congress must take action to limit the executive branch\u2019s influence over commemorative designs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cWe must reject his efforts to dismantle our \u2018We, The People\u2019 republic and replace it with a strongman state by demanding strong accountability to prevent further abuse of taxpayer dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Cortez Masto echoed Merkley\u2019s claims, asserting that any depiction of a living president on U.S. coinage would resemble an outdated monarchical tradition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cWhile monarchs put their faces on coins, America has never had and never will have a king.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
She added:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cOur legislation would codify this country\u2019s long-standing tradition of not putting living presidents on American coins. Congress must pass it without delay.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n