President Biden announced that he is awarding the Presidential Citizens Medal to two lawmakers, Rep. Bennie Thompson and former Rep. Liz Cheney, for their leadership in the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. The award ceremony will take place at the White House, where Biden will present the medals to Thompson, Cheney, and other recipients. The Presidential Citizens Medal is given to individuals who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or fellow citizens, showcasing common decency and a commitment to serving others. The White House highlighted the dedication and sacrifice of these recipients in their announcement.
Thompson and Cheney served as a chair and vice chair, respectively, of the House panel that examined the events leading up to and on Jan. 6. The committee conducted an extensive investigation, including 10 public hearings, interviews with over 1,000 witnesses, and compiling over 1 million pages of material. The investigation concluded in December 2022, with the committee voting to refer President-elect Donald Trump and lawyer John Eastman for criminal prosecution due to their alleged efforts to subvert the peaceful transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6. Although Trump faced federal criminal charges related to his actions after the 2020 election, the charges were dismissed following a request by the special counsel.
Throughout Cheney’s 20 years in public service, she has been praised for defending the nation and its ideals of freedom, dignity, and decency. Cheney became a vocal opponent of Trump following the 2020 election and endorsed Harris for president. Thompson, on the other hand, was commended for his commitment to defending the rule of law with integrity and a steadfast dedication to truth during his role as chair of the Jan. 6 committee. Despite Trump’s repeated attacks on Cheney, Thompson, and the committee, including claims of criminal behavior without evidence, President Biden is considering preemptive pardons for prominent critics of Trump to protect them from potential legal prosecution by the incoming administration.
In addition to Cheney and Thompson, other individuals who will receive the Presidential Citizens Medal include Mary Bonauto, an attorney who argued the landmark Supreme Court case legalizing same-sex marriage; Bill Bradley, a former NBA player and U.S. senator; and Diane Carlson Evans, a nurse who served during the Vietnam War and founded the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation. Former Senators Chris Dodd, Nancy Kassebaum, and Ted Kaufman will also be honored at the ceremony. The Presidential Citizens Medal, established in 1969, is recognized as the second-highest civilian award of the U.S. government, honoring those who have performed exemplary acts of service for their country or fellow citizens.
