President Joe Biden is set to honor Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson with one of the nation’s highest civilian honors for their leadership in the congressional investigation into the violent Capitol attack of January 6, 2021. The two lawmakers, whom President-elect Donald Trump has previously claimed should be incarcerated, will receive the Presidential Citizens Medal during a ceremony at the White House on Thursday. Biden will also recognize 18 other individuals for their contributions to various causes, such as the fight for marriage equality, the care of wounded soldiers, and long-standing public service. Among the honorees are Biden’s longtime allies, former Senators Ted Kaufman of Delaware and Chris Dodd of Connecticut.
In a statement, the White House explained, “President Biden believes these Americans are bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others. The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice.”
Last year, Biden similarly acknowledged individuals who played critical roles in protecting the Capitol from the rioters or helped preserve the integrity of the 2020 presidential election results amid Trump’s unsuccessful efforts to overturn the outcome. Cheney, a former Republican representative from Wyoming, and Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, co-chaired the House committee that investigated the events of the insurrection. Cheney later publicly declared that she would support Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, even campaigning alongside her, which fueled Trump’s anger. Biden has been considering granting pardons to Cheney and others whom Trump has sought to target.
Trump, who is poised to take office again on January 20, 2025, has expressed intentions to pardon individuals involved in the January 6th attack upon his return to the White House. In a recent interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump stated, “Cheney did something that’s inexcusable, along with Thompson and the people on the un-select committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps,” further alleging—without substantiation—that they had “deleted and destroyed” evidence gathered during the investigation.
“Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump added.
{Matzav.com}