President Joe Biden awarded two of the top January 6 House Select Committee members, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), with the Presidential Citizens Medal on Thursday.
In a Thursday press release, the White House released a list of 20 recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal, which is the second-highest medal a U.S. civilian can be awarded. In the press release, the White House explained that the award is given to “citizens of the United States of America who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.”
“President Biden believes these Americans are bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others,” the White House stated. “The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice.”
Thursday’s press release highlighted Cheney’s two decades of public service, including her role as “Vice Chair of the Committee on the January 6 attack.” The White House wrote, “Liz Cheney has raised her voice—and reached across the aisle—to defend our Nation and the ideals we stand for: Freedom. Dignity. And decency. Her integrity and intrepidness remind us all what is possible if we work together.”
Biden’s decision to award Cheney with the Presidential Citizens Medal comes amid reports that the president could issue a preemptive pardon for the former Republican representative prior to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The House Administration’s Subcommittee on Oversight recently recommended that Cheney “should be investigated for potential criminal witness tampering based on the new information about her communication” with a January 6 witness.
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In a post on X, formerly Twitter, journalist Nick Sortor shared a video of Biden presenting Cheney with the Presidential Citizens Medal for “putting the American people over party.”
“Joe Biden just awarded Liz Cheney, who LIED and tampered with ‘witnesses’ in the J6 committee, the Presidential Citizens Medal,” Sortor tweeted. “Absolutely disgusting. Who wants to bet she’ll get a pardon next? This medal is SUPPOSED to be for those who perform ‘exemplary deeds for their country or citizens,’ but of course, Biden decided to award it to a woman who tried to do his political dirty work.”
Regarding Thompson’s award, the White House said the Mississippi congressman was inspired by the Civil Rights movement, worked to register African American voters, and eventually decided to run for Congress, “where he chaired the House January 6th Committee—at the forefront of defending the rule of law with unwavering integrity and a steadfast commitment to truth.”
In another video, Thompson can be seen accepting the Presidential Citizens Medal. In a statement released on social media, the Democrat congressman said he was “honored” to receive the award from Biden. Thompson claimed that he has been dedicated to “ensuring that democratic principles benefit all Americans, not just a select few.”
