Jack Lew Plotting to Stop Trump From Reversing the Harriet Tubman $20 Bill Decision

U.S. government officials say Treasury Secretary Jack Lew could release early images of redesigned $5, $10 and $20 bills in an effort to pressure the Trump Administration away from reversing their plans, reports TIME Magazine.

When the Treasury Department announced major changes, during the Presidential primary season,  to the faces of the $5, $10 and $20 bills, including the inclusion of a woman as the portrait on U.S. currency for the first time in modern history.

Trump called the move “pure political correctness” and suggested moving Tubman to a lower denomination like the $2 bill.

“Andrew Jackson had a great history. I think it’s very rough when you take somebody off the bill,” Trump said last spring.

In a statement to TIME, a Treasury Department spokesperson said the process to update the bills is well underway and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was directed to accelerate its work on the note redesign at the time of Lew’s announcement. “That work, which could include ideas for imagery, will be documented in a way that captures the full record of the excellent progress that has been made on this project and is consistent with our primary concern for the security of our currency,” a spokesperson said. ” The process of currency redesign is complex and was always expected to extend beyond the span of one administration.”

But here is the Treasury fear according to TIME, officials fear that an early release of images could give counterfeiters a running start and could ultimately hurt plans to add a woman to front of the currency.

 -RW