The US president awarded the honor to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, who led the committee that investigated the attack on the Capitol on January 6
The President of the United States, Joe Biden (Democrat), presented this Thursday (2.Jan.2025) the Presidential Citizen’s Medal, one of the country’s highest honors, to former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney and Democratic congressman Bennie Thompson , 2 political opponents of President-elect Donald Trump (Republican).
The honor honors civilians who contributed to North American society in different ways, such as demonstrating service or defending the population’s rights.
Liz Cheney is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney (2001-2009). It was one of Trump’s main critics within the Republican Party.
Cheney supported Kamala Harris (Democrat) in the 2024 presidential race, claiming that voters should reject her “depraved cruelty” of Trump. Cheney says the Republican is a threat to US democracy for not accepting the result of the 2020 elections, when he lost to Biden.
“Liz Cheney raised her voice to defend our nation and the ideals we stand for: Freedom, dignity and decency.”said one from the White House.
Watch the ceremony, in English (18min25s):
Bennie Thompson is a Democratic Party representative from Mississippi. He was director of the committee that investigated the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 by Trump supporters.
The ceremony also presented the medal to 18 other citizens who, according to the White House, “performed exemplary acts of service to their country or fellow citizens”.
Read the 20 names that received the honor:
- Maria L. Bonautoactivist and lawyer;
- Bill BradleyUS Senator;
- Frank K. Butler Jr.doctor;
- Elizabeth L. Cheneydeputy and vice-president of the January 6 committee;
- Christopher J. Doddsenator and diplomat;
- Diane Carlson Evansnurse and activist;
- Joseph L. Galloway (posthumous), soldier in the Vietnam War;
- Nancy Landon Kassebaumsenator;
- Ted Kaufmansenator;
- Carolyn McCarthynurse and congressman;
- Louis Lorenzo Redding (posthumous), the first black lawyer admitted to the Delaware Bar;
- Bobby Sagerphotographer and philanthropist;
- Collins J. Seitz (posthumous), state judge
- Eleanor Smealactivist;
- Bennie G. Thompsondeputy and president of the January 6 committee;
- Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi (posthumous), war activist;
- Thomas J. Vallelysoldier in the Vietnam War;
- Frances M. Viscoactivist;
- Paula S. Wallaceteacher;
- Evan Wolfsonactivist.
