Biden administration is reportedly deliberating putting escaped slave and activist Harriet Tubman on the new $20 notes.
The effort to ditch Andrew Jackson and replace him with Tubman was previously initiated by the Obama administration back in 2016 when then-Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced the plans for the new $20 bills.
Following Trump’s inauguration in 2017, however, the plans got delayed, whereas Trump previously criticized the proposal to remove President Jackson from the bill.
Despite the controversial history of the 7th US president, who has been accused of genocide over his handling of Native Americans, Trump saw Jackson as one of his favorite presidents and even hung his portrait in the Oval Office during his term.
“Andrew Jackson had a great history, and I think it’s very rough when you take somebody off the bill,” the former president said back in 2016.
Now, the plans to replace Jackson with Tubman have been revived thanks to Biden who seeks to promote equality and diversity in the country.
“I was here when we announced that and it was very exciting. The Treasury Department is taking steps to resume efforts to put Harriet Tubman on the front of the new $20 notes,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed.
“A note reflects the history and diversity of our country and the Harriet Tubman image gracing the new $20 note would certainly reflect that. So we’re exploring ways to speed up that effort but any specifics would, of course, come from the Department of Treasury.”
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery back in 1822. After escaping slavery, Tubman organized 13 rescue mission and freed some 70 people from the shackles of their masters in slave-holding states. After freeing the slaves, the activist led them north to free states and Canada via the Underground Railroad network.
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Replaced!