A proposal to mint a gold coin of living President Trump faces legal and political pushback over a 2005 law restricting $1 coins to deceased presidents.

A federal commission is reviewing a proposal to mint a 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring President Donald Trump, based on a photograph from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. The design, showing Trump with clenched fists at a desk, has sparked controversy, with critics calling it inappropriate and potentially illegal, citing a 2005 law that restricts $1 coins to deceased presidents. While the Treasury Department says no law prohibits a living president on currency, Democrats and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee oppose the move, arguing it violates democratic traditions. The final decision rests with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.